Men’s Tennis Earns 5-2 Victory Over In-State Rival Butler

Friday, February 10

Muncie, Ind.

2 pm

Ball State University

Butler University

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Men’s Tennis Earns 5-2 Victory Over In-State Rival Butler

February 10, 2023 | Men's Tennis

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's tennis team (3-2) earned an impressive 5-2 victory over in-state rival Butler (5-5) Friday afternoon at the Northwest YMCA Tennis Center.

The Cardinals took the early 1-0 advantage over the Bulldogs to start the match on a high note. Ball State's No. 2 duo of Danilo Kovacevic and Parrish Simmons were the first to exit the court after quick 6-1 victory over Butler's Nicolas Arts and Borja Miralles. Ball State would drop court three to Butler to even doubles play. The doubles point would then come down to the top court of Vince Orlando and Nathaniel Webster. Orlando and Webster were down 1-4 to Thomas Brennan and Alvaro Huete Vadillo but came back to win five-straight games to clinch the doubles point and their match 6-4.

Ball State continued to dominate at the start of singles, as Jacks Lancaster took court six in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. Orlando followed suite after registering 6-3, 6-4 decision in frames one and two, respectively against Butler's No. 2 player Vadillo to give BSU the 3-1 edge over Butler.

For the second time in two weeks, Sajin Smith earned match point for Ball State. Smith, who continues to fight through adversity after being benched for two years due to injuries, defeated Patrick Joss on court No. 5 by a score of 7-5, 6-4.

Eli Herran rounded out the wins for BSU today after beating Nicolas Arts in a three-set thriller at the No. 5 spot, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

The Ball State men's tennis team continues non-conference play when it travels to Cleveland State for two matches Sunday against the Vikings at 10 am ET and then Niagra University which will be a 2 pm ET first serve.