Box Score NEW ORLEANS – In a performance that head coach Matt Llewellyn called the "biggest win in program history," the Loyola Wolf Pack men's tennis team knocked off Nicholls 5-2 on Friday. It was the first Loyola men's tennis win against an NCAA Division-I team in the history of the program, which started in the 2010-11 season.
"So happy for the men," Llewellyn said. "They have been awesome in fall and spring training. Came to work each day ready to learn. Elevated their team culture. Great to see hard work paying off for them. This win is special for us, and it shows who we can be as a team."
Loyola had a solid start to doubles, winning on courts 1 and 2 before dropping the third in a tiebreak. Remus Hebhang-Balan and Akhil Indrabalan teamed up for a 7-5 win at No. 1 to begin doubles, and the team of Samuel Motazed and Sam Izrael triumphed in their tiebreak, 7-2, to win 7-6 and claim the doubles point for the Pack.
"We came out with more energy and intensity than Nicholls," said Llewellyn. "Getting up 1-0 helped build confidence heading into the singles."
Hippolyte de Preville won his court 2 match in straight sets (6-3, 7-5) to begin singles and continue scoreboard pressure on the Colonels. Nicholls did get on the scoreboard with wins at courts 1 and 3, though Hebhang-Balan's court 1 match went to three sets.
The Pack went on to tough out wins on all three remaining courts. Akhil Indrabalan got Loyola to a 3-2 advantage, winning in straight sets on court 4 after a second-set tiebreak. Alfredo Gallegos then clinched the team victory in his first dual match at Loyola, winning a tough three-set match that included a 9-7 second-set tiebreak. Spencer Matz also won his three-setter on court 5 to give Loyola five points for the match.
"Akhil and Spencer battled through cramps, showing great toughness and leadership," Llewellyn said. "Alfredo, as a freshman, showed some very solid tennis. To clinch his first college match–the best win in program history–is awesome. He has a very bright future ahead for the Pack."
After the historic win against the NCAA opponent, the Wolf Pack will now travel to Mobile, Ala. for three matches against strong NAIA competition in the crossover challenge between the Southern States Athletic Conference, Sun Conference, and Appalachian Athletic Conference. Loyola opens the challenge Thursday against SCAD Atlanta before facing No. 16 Reinhardt and No. 17 SCAD Savannah.
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Results
Loyola – 5
Nicholls – 2
Doubles
1. Hebhang-Balan/Indrabalan (LOYNO) def. Marki/Lindstedt (NICH) 7-5
2. Izrael/Motazed (LOYNO) def. Matsumura/Spagnuolo (NICH) 7-6 (7-2)
3. Tavares/Wood (NICH) def. De Preville/Gallegos (LOYNO) 7-6 (7-3)
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles
1. Maxwell Lindstedt (NICH) def. Remus Hebhang-Balan (LOYNO) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. Hippolyte de Preville (LOYNO) def. Colin Tavares (NICH) 6-3, 7-5
3. Kotaro Matsumura (NICH) def. Sam Izrael (LOYNO) 6-2, 6-4
4. Akhil Indrabalan (LOYNO) def. Felipe Spagnuolo (NICH) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
5. Spencer Matz (LOYNO) def. Marcell Marki (NICH) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Alfredo Gallegos (LOYNO) def. Mike Wood (NICH) 1-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1, 4, 6, 5
