Men’s Tennis Falls to RHIT in Rainy NCAA Tournament Match

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—History was made this past Thursday at Illinois Institute of Technology. For the first time ever, the Scarlet Hawks competed in a NCAA Division III tournament contest. The men’s tennis team represented Illinois Tech, as the Scarlet Hawks (18-10) took on Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (14-9). There was a rain delay of nearly 90 minutes halting action in the middle of doubles. Despite some impressive battles, the Scarlet Hawks were defeated by RHIT 5-1.

Match Highlights

  • All three doubles matches were tightly contested early on. When the rain hit 25 minutes into the start of the match, Tech trailed in No. 1 doubles 4-2, No. 2 doubles 5-2, and led No. 3 doubles 4-3 over the Fightin’ Engineers
  • Rose-Hulman was able to seize control after the delay, winning 8-3 in No. 1 doubles and 8-2 in No. 2 doubles. Pol de Santiago and Franklin Zhong were able to take a late game in No. 1 after dropping three straight after the intermission.
  • No. 3 doubles became an important result, and Davis Housman and Brody Croonquist delieverd. After being tied 4-4, the duo took four of the next give games to give Tech its first win.
  • With RHIT ahead 2-1 after doubles, the Fightin’ Engineers took four of the first six singles matches. Both Zhong (No. 2) and Housman (No. 4) were able to win their first sets of games.
  • However, the Fightin’ Engineers were able to win three singles matches outright before the Scarlet Hawks picked up victories, as RHIT won in the No. 1, No. 5, and No. 6 spots to take the 5-1 win.