GRANVILLE, Ohio — A dominant season for Illinois Tech Men's Tennis came to a close in the first round of the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship on Friday, as the Scarlet Hawks fell to No. 25 Carthage College by a final score of 4-0 at the Denison Tennis Courts in the Denison University Regional.
The Scarlet Hawks close out their season with a record of 14-6. Carthage improved to 23-3 overall and advances to second round play in the tournament to face host, 4th-ranked and the defending national champions, Denison University.
The Hawks had competitive matches in doubles play, despite not earning the doubles point. But they were unable to carry that momentum into singles play and the Firebirds proved to be too strong on this day.
Despite the loss, the Hawks put together another strong season. They won their sixth conference title in the last seven seasons, and in doing so earned their sixth NCAA tournament appearance. With a majority of the squad returning next season, the Hawks are poised to continue their run at the top of the NACC and push for another NCAA tournament bid.
How It Happened
The Firebirds secured the doubles point with victories on two courts. At No. 2 doubles, Hozumi Tada and Pedro Roca claimed a tight 6-5 win over Luca Okino and Victor Pimenta, while Carthage clinched the point at No. 1 doubles as Diego Silva and Finn Morris defeated Tanay Sharma and Alexander Feher, 6-1. Carthage also won No. 3 doubles, where Francisco Silvera and Ethan Foucheaux edged Pol Dueso Guell and Tejas Sheth, 6-4.
In singles, Carthage extended its lead with a series of straight-set wins. At No. 1 singles, Francisco Silvera defeated Tanay Sharma, 6-3, 6-0. Carthage continued its dominance at No. 5 singles with Luca Okino winning 6-0, 6-1 over Hozumi Tada. Linus Bangert added another point for the Firebirds at No. 6 singles, dispatching Joseph Au 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles
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Diego Silva/Finn Morris (Carthage) def. Tanay Sharma/Alexander Feher (Illinois Tech) 6-1
Hozumi Tada/Pedro Roca (Illinois Tech) vs. Luca Okino/Victor Pimenta (Carthage) 6-5, unfinished
Francisco Silvera/Ethan Foucheaux (Carthage) def. Pol Dueso Guell/Tejas Sheth (Illinois Tech) 6-4
Order of finish: 1, 3
Singles
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Francisco Silvera (Carthage) vs. Tanay Sharma (Illinois Tech) 6-3, 0-1, unfinished
Diego Silva (Carthage) vs. Pedro Roca (Illinois Tech) 7-5, 0-3, unfinished
Finn Morris (Carthage) def. Alexander Feher (Illinois Tech) 6-2, 6-1
Pol Dueso Guell (Illinois Tech) def. Cyriac Cayuela (Carthage) 6-3, 3-0, unfinished
Luca Okino (Carthage) def. Hozumi Tada (Illinois Tech) 6-0, 6-1
Linus Bangert (Carthage) def. Joseph Au (Illinois Tech) 6-0, 6-1
Order of finish: 5, 6, 3