Wildcats Take Five-Straight Singles Matches to Top Ball State, 5-2

Jan. 15, 2006

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Northwestern's men's tennis team improved its dual record to 2-1 after beating Ball State, 5-2. The Wildcats earned wins at the No. 2- through No. 6-singles positions to take the dual.

"This was a very good win against a good Ball State team," head coach Paul Torricelli said. "Ball Sate is going to be an NCAA team and they will beat some Big Ten teams, too. So I'm pleased with the way we competed and fought."

After the Wildcats dropped the doubles point, senior captain Adam Schaechterle (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine) quickly tied the match at 1-1 by defeating the Cardinals' Jan Polhaumus 6-3, 6-3, at No. 6 singles.

"Adam's experience was invaluable," Torricelli said.

At No. 1 singles, Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium Lohbrügge) suffered a setback against Matt Baccarani, but Marc Dwyer (Peachtree City, Ga./University of Nebraska- Independent Study H.S) brought Northwestern back with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ball State's Tony Epkey at No. 3 singles, tying the match at 2-2.

Junior Willy Lock (Lima, Peru/Markham College) tallied a win at the No. 2-singles position to give the Wildcats a lead they would hold onto for the remainder of the match. Lock outlasted BSU's Joe Epkey 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-3.

"Willy was down 5-1 in the first set tie break and he came back to win," Torricelli said. That was a huge match."

Juan Gomez dropped his second set, but rallied to beat Jarrod Epkey at No. 4 singles 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3).

"Juan played great," Torricelli said. "He played spectacular tennis and came back to clinch the match."

Matt Christian (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice) topped Ball State's Patrick Thompson 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4).

The Wildcats return to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they host DePaul at the Combe Tennis Center.

Northwestern 5, Ball State 2
Doubles
No. 1 -- No. 4 Matt Baccarani/Patrick Thompson (BSU) def.
 Adam Schaechterle/Matt Christian (NU) 9-7
No. 2 -- Tony Epkey/Jarrod Epkey (BSU) def.
 Christian Tempke/Marc Dwyer (NU) 9-7
No. 3 -- Joe Epkey/Joe Vallee (BSU) def.
 Willy Lock/Juan Gomez (NU) 9-8 (4)
Singles
No. 1 -- Matt Baccarani (BSU) def. Christian Tempke (NU) 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 -- Willy Lock (NU) def. Joe Epkey (BSU) 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-3
No. 3 -- Marc Dwyer (NU) def. Tony Epkey (BSU) 6-4, 6-4
No. 4 -- Juan Gomez (NU) def. Jarrod Epkey (BSU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3)
No. 5 -- Matt Christian (NU) def. Patrick Thompson (BSU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4)
No. 6 -- Adam Schaechterle (NU) def. Jan Polhamus (BSU) 6-3, 6-3