WICHITA, Kan. ? The Wichita State men's tennis team defeated NCAA Div. II Washburn, 7-0, Monday afternoon at Genesis Health Club.

After a sluggish start, the Shockers rallied to take all three doubles matches, and earned the doubles point for an early 1-0 edge. The duo of Albert Ballesta and Thiago Dos Santos opened play with an 8-5 win over Nathan Martin and Brad Johnston in the No. 2 slot, while the teams of Tiago Espirito Santo/Jonathan Obrist and Matt Teivans/Adrian Chermaci each picked up 8-6 wins to secure the doubles point. Espirito Santo/Obrist defeated Rutger Vliegenberg/Andrew Plum, while Teivans/Chermaci downed Drew Hanson and Ryan Ward in the No. 3 match.

Jonathan Obrist opened singles play by making quick work of Brad Johnston and cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win in the No. 4 match. Thiago Dos Santos followed quickly with a 6-1, 6-0 dispatching of Nathan Martin, while Matt Teivans downed Ryan Ward 6-1, 6-1 to give WSU the decisive fourth point, and secured the Shocker win.

In the No. 5 match, Adrian Chermaci defeated Drew Hanson 6-2, 6-2. Albert Ballesta followed with a 4-6, 6-2, 10-7 win over Andrew Plum, and Tiago Espirito Santo wrapped up the match with a 7-6, 6-4 (6) win over Rutger Vliegenburg.

“Washburn came out inspired in doubles,” said Director of Tennis Chris Young. “They gave us a good challenge, and we learned the lesson that we need to come out ready to play all the time. Our guys are getting better, but we've still got some work to do before this weekend.”

Friday, the Shockers travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a 2 p.m. match with Air Force. They will follow that with matches against Idaho State and Idaho, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Saturday's match will begin at 2 p.m., while Sunday's match is slated for a 9 a.m. start.

Wichita State 7, Washburn 0

Feb. 18, 2008 ~ Genesis Health Club (Wichita, Kan.)

SINGLES

1. Tiago Espirito Santo (WSU) def. Rutger Vliegenburg (WU), 7-6, 6-4 (6)

2. Albert Ballesta (WSU) def. Andrew Plum (WU), 4-6, 6-2, 10-7

3. Thiago Dos Santos (WSU) def. Nathan Martin (WU), 6-1, 6-0

4. Jonathan Obrist (WSU) def. Brad Johnston (WU), 6-1, 6-0

5. Adrian Chermaci (WSU) def. Drew Hanson (WU), 6-2, 6-2

6. Matt Teivans (WSU) def. Ryan Ward (WU), 6-1, 6-1

DOUBLES

1. Espirito Santo/Obrist (WSU) def. Vliegenburg/Plum (WU), 8-6

2. Ballesta/Dos Santos (WSU) def. Martin/Johnston (WU), 8-5

3. Teivans/Chermaci (WSU) def. Hanson/Ward (WU), 8-6

--Wichita State--