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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team won its third road match in a little more than a week thanks to a 5-2 victory over host SIUE Sunday. The Colonels (12-12, 7-2 OVC) will enter next weekend’s OVC tournament as the No. 3 seed.

“I think we have some much-needed and all-important momentum heading into the OVC tournament,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “Special kudos have to go out to Joao Maio and Florian Graskamp for going undefeated [in league play]. They are the proof that depth is our strength this year.”

Both Maio and Graskamp went 7-0 in OVC singles matches this spring. Maio survived in three sets today over SIUE’s Nico Kuehn while Graskamp clinched the team victory with a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 6 singles.

Tennessee Tech will be the No. 1 seed in next weekend’s league championships while Austin Peay will be in the No. 2 spot. Those are the only two OVC teams to defeat the Colonels this year.

Eastern opens OVC tournament play on Friday, April 19 against No. 6 seed Morehead State in Paducah, Ky. The winner will face Austin Peay on Saturday.

Eastern Kentucky 5, SIUE 2

Singles
1. Marten Jonsson (SIUE) def. Juanjo de la Llera (EKU)  6-4, 6-2
2. Daridge Saidi (EKU) def. Nicolas Vincent (SIUE)  7-6, 7-5
3. Alex Alvaro (EKU) def. Jacob Tanulanond (SIUE)  6-1, 6-2
4. Jacob Perkins (SIUE) def. Lucas Smets (EKU)   4-6, 6-2, 6-4
5. Joao Maio (EKU) def. Nico Kuehn (SIUE)   6-2, 4-6, 6-1
6. Florian Graskamp (EKU) def. Patrick Gaffigan (SIUE)  6-4, 7-5

Doubles
1. de la Llera/Smets (EKU) def. Jonsson/Kuehn (SIUE)  8-2
2. Tanulanond/Washuta (SIUE) led Dombrowski/Maio (EKU) 6-4 DNF
3. Alvaro/Graskamp (EKU) def. Reed/Vincent (SIUE)  8-2

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (12-12, 7-2); SIUE (8-9, 3-6)
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1); Singles (3, 1, 2, 6*, 4, 5)