MACON, Ga. – No. 25 Indiana Wesleyan University men’s tennis nearly picked up a signature win on Saturday but the upset bid came up just short in a 5-4 decision to No. 7 Cumberland (Tenn.). IWU had chances to pull off the huge win but Cumberland won a pair of singles matches that went three sets.

MATCH VITALS

Score:  Cumberland def. Indiana Wesleyan, 5-4
Records:  Indiana Wesleyan 18-5   |   Cumberland 1-2
Location:   John Drew Smith Tennis Center   |   Macon, Georgia 

DOUBLES

No. 1:  Eli Steiner/Grant Esposito (IWU) def. Lopes/Lucich (CU) 8-6
No. 2:  Diego Freire/Riley Worland (IWU) def. Grabuleda/Fernandez (CU) 8-7
No. 3:  Puertoloas/Pardos (CU) def. Grant Yager/Andrew Block (IWU) 8-4
 

SINGLES

No. 1:  Grabuleda (CU) def. Eli Steiner (IWU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
No. 2:  Diego Freire (IWU) def. Puertolas (CU) 5-7, 7-6, 6-2
No. 3:  Grant Esposito (IWU) def. Lucich (CU) 6-3, 6-2
No. 4:  Fernandez (CU) def. Riley Worland (IWU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-0
No. 5:  Bagnera (CU) def. Andrew Block (IWU) 6-3, 6-2
No. 6:  Pardos (CU) def. Grant Yager (IWU) 6-4, 6-2
 

COACH SHIGLEY SAYS…

“The men’s team played a phenomenal match today and almost upset the No. 7 team in the nation. We had our chances as we also lost two three-set matches. I loved the heart and courage of our team today. We want to build upon this and continue to get better. Espo played extremely well today and Diego outlasted his opponent in a 3-1/2 hour slugfest.”
 

UP NEXT FOR MEN’S TENNIS

Indiana Wesleyan battles No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett on Monday at 8 a.m. The match will be contested at the USTA National Center in Orlando, Florida.