Washington Reaches NCAA Men's Tennis Quarterfinals For Ninth Consecutive Year

Washington Reaches NCAA Men's Tennis Quarterfinals For Ninth Consecutive Year

From Washington University Athletics

The No. 5-ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the ninth-straight season by defeating No. 15 Whitman College 5-4 Sunday at the Tao Tennis Center in St. Louis.

WashU improved to 20-5 with the victory, its third-straight 20-win season and eighth time under head coach Roger Follmer. Whitman had its 11-match win streak snapped and ended its season with a 22-6 record.

"We stepped up in singles today after falling behind after doubles play," said Follmer. "We had a nice spark from Josh and Tyler at No. 3 doubles. They are feeding off each other and its definitely helping."

WashU takes on No. 4-ranked Emory University in the NCAA Quarterfinals Monday, May 18, in Mason, Ohio. The Bears suffered a 5-4 loss to Emory April 26 in the UAA Championship and a 6-3 defeat in the ITA Division III National Team Indoor Championship semifinals Feb. 21.

Match-by-Match Results
Doubles
1. #17 Malesovas, Colton/Rivers, James (WCMTN) def. Jeremy Bush/Ross Putterman (WASHUM) 9-7
2. #9 Hewlin, Zach/Hoeger Jake (WCMTN) def. Jason Haugen/Kevin Chu (WASHUM) 8-3
3. Josh Cogan/Tyler Kratky (WASHUM) def. Jivkov, Petar/Carter, Robert (WCMTN) 9-8 (7-5)

Singles
1. #23 Malesovas, Colton (WCMTN) def. John Carswell (WASHUM) 6-1, 7-6 (7-2)
2. #17 Hewlin, Zach (WCMTN) def. #37 Ross Putterman (WASHUM) 6-0, 6-3
3. #45 Jeremy Bush (WASHUM) def. Locklear, Phillip (WCMTN) 7-5, 6-3
4. #14 Tyler Kratky (WASHUM) def. Jivkov, Petar (WCMTN) 6-0, 6-2
5. #26 Johnny Wu (WASHUM) def. Friedman, Chase (WCMTN) 5-7, 6-3, 2-0, retired
6. Jason Haugen (WASHUM) def. Hoeger Jake (WCMTN) 6-2, 6-1

Notes:
• Washington U.'s 20 wins are the third most in school history.
• WashU is making their 12th-overall NCAA quarterfinal appearance.
• Juniors Josh Cogan and Tyler Kratky improved to 6-0 at No. 3 doubles.
• The Bears are 23-2 at No. 4 and No. 6 singles this season.
• The Bears have a 36-20 (.643) record in 17 trips to the NCAA Tournament.
• WashU is 10-0 at home this season and 103-4 in the last 11 years.