WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – For the second consecutive year and third time in the last four, Green Bay is the champions of Horizon League men’s tennis, this time outlasting Valparaiso, 4-0, at the Schwartz Tennis Center.
For the second straight Horizon League tournament match, Leopold Gomez Islinger came through with the clinching point, defeating Valpo’s Dave Bacalla, 6-4, 7-6(3) to set off a frenzied celebration on the outdoor courts.
The final score belied the intensity of the match, as it reached conclusion with the other three matches in the third set.
The Phoenix, in the championship match for the fifth straight season, jumped out to an early lead after doubles play.
Gomez Islinger and Michael Tebon cruised to a 6-2 win at No. 3, but Valparaiso countered with a 6-3 victory at No. 1 as Jeffrey Schorsch and Charlie Emhardt partnered on the evening result.
Howard Scott and Joey Leto would collect a late break to push past Bacalla and Chase Hamilton, 7-5, at No. 2 to give the Phoenix the doubles point.
For the second straight day, it was Joey Leto jumping out to an early lead and continuing the Phoenix’ momentum. Playing at No. 6, Leto won in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6(4), to double Green Bay’s lead.
While Green Bay won the first set in five of the six matches, Valparaiso worked its way back into the match in the second sets, as Schorsch and Kyle Dunn each battled back to force third sets.
As that happened, Howard Scott collected a break at 4-4 in the second set and converted on his serve to win at No. 3, 6-4, 6-4 and bring the Phoenix within a point of the title.
That set the stage for Gomez Islinger to force a tie-break, where he quickly built a lead he would convert into the championship-clinching result.
Green Bay will learn its NCAA Tournament destination on Tuesday, April 28, when the field of 64 is revealed on NCAA.com at 5:30 pm ET.
(1) Green Bay 4, (2) Valparaiso 0
(1) Green Bay 4, (2) Valparaiso 0
Doubles:
1. Michael Tenzer/Florian Kraenzler (Green Bay) vs. Jeffrey Schorsch/Charlie Emhardt (Valparaiso) – Valpo, 6-3
2. Howard Scott/Joey Leto (Green Bay) vs. Dave Bacalla/Chase Hamilton (Valparaiso) – GB, 7-5
3. Leopold Gomez Islinger/Michael Tebon (Green Bay) vs. Lucas Waak/Garrett Gardner (Valparaiso) – GB, 6-2
Order of finish: 3-1-2
Singles:
1. Michael Tenzer (Green Bay) vs. Jeffrey Schorsch (Valparaiso) – Valpo led 3-6, 6-3, 3-2 unfinished
2. Leopold Gomez Islinger (Green Bay) vs. Dave Bacalla (Valparaiso) – GB 6-4, 7-6(4)
3. Howard Scott (Green Bay) vs. Garrett Gardner (Valparaiso) – GB 6-4, 6-4
4. Florian Kraenzler (Green Bay) vs. Charlie Emhardt (Valparaiso) – tied 6-7, 6-4, 0-0 unfinished
5. Josh Schramm (Green Bay) vs. Kyle Dunn (Valparaiso) – GB led 6-1, 2-6, 2-1 unfinished
6. Joey Leto (Green Bay) vs. Lucas Waak (Valparaiso) – GB 6-1, 7-6(4)
Order of finish: 6-3-2
