MARTIN, Tenn. – Senior Fred Goncalves’ three-set victory at No. 5 singles capped the 4-3 comeback win for the Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team over host UT Martin Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Colonels improve to 15-10 overall and 5-2 in the OVC.

Eastern Kentucky trailed 3-0 against the Skyhawks before winning the final four singles matches. Freshman Alex Das Izquierdo (No. 1), sophomore Johannes John (No. 4) and junior Vadzim Ivanis (No. 6) all won their matches in straight sets to even the team score at 3-all. Goncalves dropped the first set of his match, but rallied to defeat UTM’s Stewart McRae in the deciding contest.

“There’s no player I’d rather have in a clinching match than Fred,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “I have a feeling a lot of OVC teams will be happy to see him graduate.”

The Colonels conclude the regular season next weekend at Samford and Jacksonville State.

Eastern Kentucky 4, UT Martin 3

Singles
1. Alex Das Izquierdo (EKU) d. Stephan Bruwer (UTM) 6-3, 6-2
2. Andrey Yesipov (UTM) d. Lars Gratzki (EKU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Alfredo Krywacz (UTM) d. Mel Segota (EKU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Johannes John (EKU) d. Christian Slabbert (UTM) 6-3, 6-3
5. Fred Goncalves (EKU) d. Stewart McRae (UTM) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
6. Vadzim Ivanis (EKU) d. Petr Markov (UTM) 7-6, 6-1

Doubles
1. Bruwer/Yesipov (UTM) d. Das Izquierdo/Gratzki (EKU) 8-5
2. Krywacz/Slabbert (UTM) d. Ivanis/Segota (EKU) 8-2
3. Goncalves/John (EKU) d. Harris/McRae (UTM) 9-7