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WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State men's tennis collected its 25th MVC Championship with a thrilling 4-3 win over No. 51 Drake Sunday afternoon at the Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex.

Wichita State (17-10) and Drake are no strangers to meeting in the MVC Tournament championship, as the two programs have faced off in the last six title matches (2011-16).

It marks the third tournament title under head coach Brad Louderback, while the 25 MVC men's tennis titles are the most all-time in Valley history.

The Shockers claimed the all-important doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2. Miroslav Herzan and Haru Inoue ousted Ben Lott and Ben Stride in a timely fashion, 6-2. On court No. 1, Tin Ostojic and Jocelyn Devilliers won a battle, 7-5, over Bayo Phillips and Ben Wood to give WSU a 1-0 lead heading into singles.

Inoue carried over his play from doubles to No. 4 singles with an impressive straight sets victory over Bayo Phillips, 6-4, 6-2. The win ran his singles record to a team-best 18-6 overall this season, including a 15-3 mark in dual matches.

Eddie Stoica gave the Shockers a 3-0 lead with a 7-5, 6-2, win at No. 5 over Tom Hands.

Facing elimination, Drake (17-12) did not go down quietly. The Bulldogs recorded three straight singles victories at Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

The match would come down to court No. 6 with Sergio de Vilchez facing Ben Stride. Stride came out fast and furious to win the first set, 6-0. De Vilchez answered back with a 6-4 win in the second set to force what would turn into the match-deciding third and final set. Stride shot out to a 4-1 lead, but de Vilchez would not waiver. The senior turned the momentum by tying the set at 4-4. At this point, the crowd swarmed to catch the winner. De Vilchez would capitalize and grab the final set, 6-4, and also securing the Valley Championship.

With the win, Wichita State punches its ticket to the 2016 NCAA Tournament by collecting the automatic qualifying bid from the Missouri Valley Conference. WSU will find out where and when they will be sent during the NCAA Selection Show Tuesday, May 3.

Wichita State 4, Drake 3
MVC Tournament - Championship
May 1, 2016
Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex
 

Singles Results

1. Ben Lott (DU) def. No. 83 Tin Ostojic (WSU) 0-6, 7-6, 6-2

2. Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Miroslav Herzan (WSU) 6-7, 7-5, 6-3

3. Calum MacGeoch (DU) def. Jocelyn Devilliers (WSU) 6-3, 7-6(6)

4. Haru Inoue (WSU) def. Bayo Phillips (DU) 6-4, 6-2

5. Eddie Stoica (WSU) def. Tom Hands (DU) 7-5, 6-2

6. Sergio de Vilchez (WSU) def. Ben Stride (DU) 0-6, 6-4, 6-4

 

Doubles Results

1. Devilliers/Ostojic (WSU) def. Phillips/Wood (DU) 7-5

2. No. 86 Herzan/Inoue (WSU) def. Lott/Stride (DU) 6-2

3. Stoica/de Vilchez (WSU) vs. Gillespie/MacGeoch (DU) 6-6, unfinished

 

Match Notes

Wichita State: 17-10 Drake: 17-12 Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (4,5,3,1,2,6)