Ball State University Athletics
Thursday, April 9
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Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Lancaster, Fletcher & Caragea Lead Ball State Men’s Tennis to Road Victory Over UIC
April 09, 2026 | Men's Tennis
CHICAGO, Ill. — The Ball State men's tennis team (10-10, 5-4 MAC) secured a hard-fought road victory against the UIC Flames (6-13, 0-9 MAC) on Thursday afternoon, fueled by a dominant doubles performance and a resilient singles showing from senior Jacks Lancaster.
"It was a battle from start to finish, and I'm incredibly proud of how our guys stayed composed in a hostile environment," Ball State head men's tennis coach Gene Orlando said. "Beating a tough UIC team on their Senior Day is never easy, but we executed when it mattered most. Winning the doubles point set the tone, and seeing our players fight through those tight singles matches shows the growth and grit of this group. It's a great momentum builder as we head into the final stretch of the season."
Ball State ignited their momentum early at the XS Tennis Village, seizing the doubles point with a dominant display on the top courts. The senior pairing of Jacks Lancaster and Broc Fletcher delivered a clinical performance at No. 1 doubles to lock in the early 1-0 advantage. This clinching win followed a strong opening effort from brothers Drew and Nolan Hayward, who put the Cardinals in a position of strength by being the first off the court with a 6-3 victory over UIC's Artem Aleskeychuk and Victor Sklenka at the No. 2 spot.
As the match moved into singles play, the battle intensified. UIC fought back to keep the team score tight, but Lancaster proved to be the difference-maker once again. Competing at the No. 1 singles position, Lancaster engaged in a "heated battle" that tested his endurance and composure. True to his reputation for resilience, he came through in the clutch to secure a vital victory, marking his second major contribution of the day.
In addition to Lancaster's success, Andrei Caragea dominated at the No. 2 position with a straight-sets win, while Fletcher mirrored that efficiency with a straight-sets victory of his own at the No. 6 slot.
With the win, Ball State continues its push in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play as the regular season draws to a close. The Cardinals will remain on the road for their next conference matchup against Northern Illinois this Saturday, April 11.
"It was a battle from start to finish, and I'm incredibly proud of how our guys stayed composed in a hostile environment," Ball State head men's tennis coach Gene Orlando said. "Beating a tough UIC team on their Senior Day is never easy, but we executed when it mattered most. Winning the doubles point set the tone, and seeing our players fight through those tight singles matches shows the growth and grit of this group. It's a great momentum builder as we head into the final stretch of the season."
Ball State ignited their momentum early at the XS Tennis Village, seizing the doubles point with a dominant display on the top courts. The senior pairing of Jacks Lancaster and Broc Fletcher delivered a clinical performance at No. 1 doubles to lock in the early 1-0 advantage. This clinching win followed a strong opening effort from brothers Drew and Nolan Hayward, who put the Cardinals in a position of strength by being the first off the court with a 6-3 victory over UIC's Artem Aleskeychuk and Victor Sklenka at the No. 2 spot.
As the match moved into singles play, the battle intensified. UIC fought back to keep the team score tight, but Lancaster proved to be the difference-maker once again. Competing at the No. 1 singles position, Lancaster engaged in a "heated battle" that tested his endurance and composure. True to his reputation for resilience, he came through in the clutch to secure a vital victory, marking his second major contribution of the day.
In addition to Lancaster's success, Andrei Caragea dominated at the No. 2 position with a straight-sets win, while Fletcher mirrored that efficiency with a straight-sets victory of his own at the No. 6 slot.
With the win, Ball State continues its push in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play as the regular season draws to a close. The Cardinals will remain on the road for their next conference matchup against Northern Illinois this Saturday, April 11.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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