Euts Split at Illinois College

The Eutectic tennis teams returned from Jacksonville, Ill., on Tuesday evening with one win and one loss against Illinois College. The UHSP men's team defeated the IC Blueboys 7-2, while the Eutectic women lost 6-3.

The UHSP Men came into the match as the favorite, holding a 4-2 record against the NCAA Division III Blueboys since 2016. But, this time, the Eutectics' default of Court-3 doubles and Court-6 singles gave the advantage to the Blueboys before the match started. Despite the handicap, the Eutectics were ahead 2-1 after doubles play. UHSP's No.-1 doubles team of Alvaro Montijano and Gavin Brown and No.-2 team of Caden Hillman and James Bamberger each solidified wins for the Eutectics at 8-4, 8-1, respectively.

The Eutectic players each found success on the singles courts, as well. Alvaro Montijano added to his Eutectic records with a solid victory at Court 1, defeating Ethan Sabotta 6-3, 7-5. Gavin Brown and Caden Hillman at Courts 2 and 3 also both earned two-set wins over their respective Blueboy opponents. Brown beat Derek Wilkinson, 6-3, 6-1, and Hillman nearly bageled Jack Leardini, 6-0, 6-1. At No.-4 Singles, James Bamberger came back from losing the first set to Kyler Kantor in a tiebreaker to dominate the second set 6-2 and win the third-set breaker at 10-5 for the match win. Finally, at Court 5, Othniel Marcellus won the first set against Jovan Norris 6-3, then clinched the second-set tiebreak for the victory.

The UHSP women's team did not have history behind them as they entered the match with a 1-3 record against IC. To add to the challenge, the women were down three courts from the start due to defaults. But, the Purple and Gold's four players fought hard and won three of the six courts that played. Erin Davis (SR/Aledo, Texas) and Angela Meaurio Martin (SO/Laspra, Asturias, Spain) earned an 8-4 victory at Court-1 doubles, while Ainsley Fortschnieder and newcomer Charlie Dunajcik (FR/St. Louis, Mo.) forced extra games from their opponents at Court 2, eventually falling 9-7.

After their solid doubles win, Angela Meaurio Martin and Erin Davis moved into singles play with confidence, picking up lopsided wins on their respective courts for UHSP's final two points. Meaurio Martin collected a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Michelle Maag at Court 1, while Davis took down Hannah Lueke 6-1, 6-2 at Court 2. Fortschneider and Dunajcik both lost in straight sets at Courts 3 and 4.

The Eutectic tennis teams will wrap up the fall season at the Evangel Fall Invitational in Springfield, Mo., on Oct. 28-29.