WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State men's tennis team mined out a 5-2 win over the No. 67 Charlotte 49ers on Sunday afternoon at Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex.
 
The Shockers (6-8) snapped a losing streak that spanned three matches with the victory and earned their first win over a ranked opponent this season.
 
In doubles, Wichita State's Luke Bracks and Vanja Hodzic struck first, winning 6-2 at court three, but Kristof Minarik and Ilias Worthington fell 6-3 at court two, evening doubles, and sending the point to be decided at court one. 
 
Down 6-5, the Shocker pair of Arenui Luethi and Alejandro Jacome won the next game to force a tiebreak at 6-all, but the Shockers came up just short in the break, losing 7-5, giving Charlotte the doubles point.
 
In singles, Wichita State took advantage by winning first sets on five of six courts. 
 
Worthington leveled the match with a 6-1, 6-4 win at court four and soon after Jacome closed out a 7-6 (1), 6-3 win to put the Shockers in front 2-1. 
 
Later, Hodzic grinded out a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win at court three to put WSU up 3-1 and on the brink of victory.
 
Needing to pull out the win in a third set, Minarik delivered the clinch, winning 7-5, 0-6, 6-3 to secure the win for Wichita State.
 
Playing the match out, Amir Milushev made it 5-1 with a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 1-0 win and Bracks fell in an incredibly tight match, 7-6 (6), 7-5 ending the match with a 5-2 score, favoring the Shockers.
 
Next up, the Shockers travel to Birmingham, Ala., to play another match against an AAC opponent in the UAB Blazers on March 18.