Illinois Tech Men's Tennis Spring Break Trip

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — The Illinois Tech Men's Tennis team (5-5) had an eventful day at Sanlando Park on their first day of competition on their spring break trip, featuring a thrilling 4-3 victory against U of Mary Hardin-Baylor (4-4) followed by a commanding 7-0 sweep over Scranton. 

The match against Scranton was also important in that all 9 rostered players were able to compete and earn victories in their matches, including the first collegiate appearance and doubles win for sophomore Grant Pennock and the first career singles win for freshman Nicolas Altimiras Gil. 

Head Coach Jack Lunn likes where the team is at during this stage of spring.

"The men have really been rounding into form as we head into the end of the trip," said Lunn. "Our singles energy has really been apparent and has been a huge difference maker in these last few matches" 

How It Happened

**Game 1: Illinois Tech vs. U of Mary Hardin-Baylor**

Despite a setback in doubles play, Illinois Tech showed resilience. The Scarlet Hawks managed one doubles victory, with Alexander Feher and Tanay Sharma outplaying Davi Savi and Arturo Langle 6-4 at No. 1 doubles. However, the Crusaders claimed the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Kell Castleberry and Vince Rivas bested Pedro Roca and Hozumi Tada 6-1, and Marcus Torres and Arnaud Marchetti defeated Tejas Sheth and Pol Dueso Guell 6-2.

In singles action, the Scarlet Hawks fought back. Although Joseph Au fell to Rivas 6-3, 6-0 at No. 6 singles, Tada leveled the score with a hard-fought win over Castleberry at No. 5 singles, 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (11-9). Roca followed up with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Langle at No. 2 singles. Pol Dueso Guell added another point with a three-set victory against Torres at No. 4 singles, 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9). Sharma then secured the match for Illinois Tech with a straight-sets win over Savi at No. 1 singles, 7-5, 6-3. Although Feher narrowly lost to Edgar Mayorga Calva at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 5-7, 0-1 (13-15), the Scarlet Hawks emerged victorious with a final score of 4-3.

**Game 2: Illinois Tech vs. Scranton**

Illinois Tech wasted no time in securing the doubles point against Scranton. At No. 1 doubles, Alexander Feher and Tanay Sharma took down Maxwell Dombrowski and Ethan Borick, 6-2. Pol Dueso Guell and Tejas Sheth followed suit at No. 2 with a 6-4 victory over Harrison Clark and Lucas Kotcho. The sweep was completed by Pedro Roca and Grant Pennock, who delivered a flawless 6-0 performance at No. 3 doubles against Ethan Germain and Benjamin Blum.

In singles action, the Scarlet Hawks continued their winning streak. Pedro Roca set the pace at No. 1 singles, defeating Maxwell Dombrowski, 6-3, 6-1. Pol Dueso Guell added another win at No. 2 singles, overpowering Ethan Borick 6-2, 6-0. Hozumi Tada kept the momentum going at No. 3 singles, winning 6-0, 6-2 against Lucas Kotcho. Joseph Au maintained the team's dominance with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles over Harrison Clark. Tejas Sheth extended the lead at No. 5 singles, defeating Nathan Harrison 6-1, 6-2. Nicolas Gil wrapped up the match with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles against Alexander Kolakowski.

Doubles  

**Illinois Tech vs. U of Mary Hardin-Baylor**  
Alexander Feher/Tanay Sharma def. Davi Savi/Arturo Langle 6-4  
Kell Castleberry/Vince Rivas def. Pedro Roca/Hozumi Tada 6-1  
Marcus Torres/Arnaud Marchetti def. Tejas Sheth/Pol Dueso Guell 6-2  

**Illinois Tech vs. Scranton**  
Alexander Feher/Tanay Sharma (Illinois Tech) def. Maxwell Dombrowski/Ethan Borick (Scranton) 6-2  
Pol Dueso Guell/Tejas Sheth (Illinois Tech) def. Harrison Clark/Lucas Kotcho (Scranton) 6-4  
Pedro Roca/Grant Pennock (Illinois Tech) def. Ethan Germain/Benjamin Blum (Scranton) 6-0  

Singles  
 
**Illinois Tech vs. U of Mary Hardin-Baylor**  
Tanay Sharma (Illinois Tech) def. Davi Savi 7-5, 6-3  
Pedro Roca (Illinois Tech) def. Arturo Langle 6-3, 6-4  
Edgar Mayorga Calva def. Alexander Feher 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (15-13)  
Pol Dueso Guell (Illinois Tech) def. Marcus Torres 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9)  
Hozumi Tada (Illinois Tech) def. Kell Castleberry 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (11-9)  
Vince Rivas def. Joseph Au 6-3, 6-0  

**Illinois Tech vs. Scranton**  
Pedro Roca (Illinois Tech) def. Maxwell Dombrowski (Scranton) 6-3, 6-1  
Pol Dueso Guell (Illinois Tech) def. Ethan Borick (Scranton) 6-2, 6-0  
Hozumi Tada (Illinois Tech) def. Lucas Kotcho (Scranton) 6-0, 6-2  
Joseph Au (Illinois Tech) def. Harrison Clark (Scranton) 6-4, 6-4  
Tejas Sheth (Illinois Tech) def. Nathan Harrison (Scranton) 6-1, 6-2  
Nicolas Gil (Illinois Tech) def. Alexander Kolakowski (Scranton) 6-0, 6-0  

Scarlet Hawk Standouts  
**Tanay Sharma**  
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- 1 singles win  
- 1 doubles win  

**Pol Dueso Guell**  
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- 2 singles wins  
- 1 doubles win  

**Pedro Roca**  
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- 2 singles wins  
- 1 doubles win  

**Hozumi Tada**  
----------------------  
- 2 singles wins  

**Tejas Sheth**  
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- 1 singles win  
- 1 doubles win  

**Nicolas Gil**  
----------------------  
- 1 singles win  

Match Notes:
- The match against U of Mary Hardin-Baylor marked the first-ever meeting between Illinois Tech and the Crusaders.
- This was also the first-ever meeting between Illinois Tech and the University of Scranton.
- The match against Vassar College scheduled for Monday, March 16th in Orlando was officially moved from postponed due to rain to canceled, as the two teams could not find a time slot for a rescheduled match before both teams departed Florida.

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks are set to face the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Thursday, March 19 at 1:30 PM CT in Orlando, Florida, the Hawks final match of their spring break trip.