[Men's Tennis] Eagles Claim Third Straight RSC Championship
MASON, Ohio -- The Asbury University tennis team fought past IU Southeast 5-1 on Saturday afternoon in the River States Conference Championship match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. It is the third straight RSC Championship title for the Eagles, who are now 13-3 on the year, and winners of 11 straight matches.
Asbury will return to Mobile, Ala. for the NAIA National Championship on May 14 -17. The Eagles will now await their next opponent and the releasing of the tournament draw.
Saturday's match was highlighted by solid doubles play at the top of the lineup and a flawless singles match from RSC Player of the Year Joshua Turnquest at No. 1 singles.
Turnquest/Felipe Penuela gave Asbury their first win with a quick 8-2 decision. Following their victory, Choopat Suvimolstean/Aquille Trotman recorded an 8-4 win at No. 1 doubles moments later.
The Eagles were unable to sweep doubles play, as Alec Bates/Jerid Inman of IU Southeast were able to fight off Shane Mustor/Luiz Gustavo Hartkopf at No. 3 doubles, 8-6.
AU led 2-1 moving into singles play and needed three wins to take the Championship.
Turnquest wasted no time building an early lead as he breezed to a 6-1, 6-0 victory at the top singles position to give AU a 3-1 edge.
Felipe Penuela took down Bates at No .6 singles 6-2, 6-1 and then senior Julian Tellez clinched the match at No. 5 singles with a 6-4 6-3 victory.