Redbirds Top Bulldogs 5-2 in Road Matchup

NORMAL, Ill. — Drake men's tennis dropped a 5–2 decision to Illinois State on Wednesday afternoon at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts. The Bulldogs fell to 14–4 overall, while the Redbirds improved to 8–10.

Drake opened the match by securing the doubles point, winning two of three contests. The tandem of Ben Johnson and Alan Gonzalez earned a 6–3 victory at the No. 2 position, while Alex Yeager and Arin Menon followed with a 6–4 win at No. 3 doubles. The wins evened both pairings' season records at 5–5.

Illinois State responded in singles play, winning five of six matches to claim the team victory.

Ben Johnson accounted for Drake's lone singles point, battling to a 7–5, 3–6, 10–5 win over Jett Leong at the No. 5 position. The victory improved Johnson to 8–4 in dual singles this season.

The Redbirds secured wins across the top of the lineup, including straight-set victories at Nos. 1 and 6 singles. Christian Winstead fell 6–4, 6–2 at the top spot, while Arin Menon dropped a 6–4, 7–6 decision at No. 6, moving to 12–2 on the season.

Illinois State also earned key wins in the middle of the lineup. Alan Gonzalez dropped a tightly contested three-set match at No. 2 singles, while Jose Hernandez fell in straight sets at No. 4. Sam Melaga, who entered the match unbeaten, suffered his first loss of the spring at No. 3 singles, moving to 12–1 on the season.

Despite the result, Drake continued to show depth throughout its lineup. Hernandez remains one of the Bulldogs' most consistent contributors at 9–3, while Gonzalez and Johnson have combined for 16 singles victories this spring.

Drake will look to bounce back as it returns home to host Wichita State on Saturday, April 4 at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

Singles Competition

1. Tomas Valencia (ILS) def. Christian Winstead (DU) 6-4, 6-2

2. Adrian Dibildox (ILS) def. Alan Gonzalez (DU) 5-7, 6-2, 7-5

3. Christian Capacci (ILS) def. Sam Melaga (DU) 7-5, 6-4

4. Tin Ostro (ILS) def. Jose Alessandro Hernandez (DU) 6-1, 7-5

5. Ben Johnson (DU) def. Jett Leong (ILS) 7-5, 3-6, 10-5 6. Caden Scarlett (ILS) def. Arin Menon (DU) 6-4, 7-6

Doubles Competition

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