SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - After a week and a half layoff, the Ashford University men's tennis team got back in action Tuesday afternoon, Apr. 3, when the team visited Washington Park to take on the Prairie Stars of the University of Illinois-Springfield.
AU and UIS played a very even duel which ended in a 4-4 tie after the #1-doubles match was suspended.
The Saints won at #3 doubles to open the event as the duo of Diego Aviles and Jake Dunn earned a 8-4 decision over the tandem of Scott Mauer and Nick Decker of Illinois-Springfield.
After a loss at #2-doubles, the two teams each won a trio of singles action to have the matchup end in a draw.
Sophomores Carlos Pico and Alvaro Merino each edged out victories at #1 and #2-singles, respectively. Pico won 6-3, 3-6 (7-5) before Merino earned a 6-3, 5-7 (6-4) decision, putting the Saints in a great spot to pull out a victory over the NCAA Division II squad.
But UIS would win at #3, #4 and #6-singles before Aviles pulled out a 6-4, 6-3 decision at #5-singles to chop the match, 4-4.
Ashford returns home on Friday, Apr. 13 when it hosts the Saints of St. Francis (IL). The match is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the Ashford Community Indoor Tennis Center.
