EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's tennis team won the first four points on the way to a 4-3 win at SIUE Friday afternoon.
 
The Colonels (15-7, 7-1 OVC) dominated in doubles and then claimed points from freshman Ramon van Flymen (No. 2), senior Daridge Saidi (No. 3) and sophomore Sebastian Mueller (No. 4) to clinch the team win.  
 
With the team outcome already decided, No. 5 singles played a super tiebreaker instead of a final set and No. 6 singles only played an eight-game pro set.
 
"I like how the guys have put team above self this year," EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. "We came out strong in doubles and continued that surge early in singles."
 
Thanks to Jacksonville State's win over Austin Peay today, the Colonels are tied for first place in the OVC standings. With a win at Eastern Illinois tomorrow, Eastern Kentucky will clinch at least a share of the league title and an opening round bye in the upcoming OVC Tournament.
 
Eastern Kentucky 4, SIUE 3
 
Singles
1. Marten Jonsson (SIUE) def. Alex Álvaro (EKU) 5-7, 6-4, 7-5
2. Ramon van Flymen (EKU) def. Nicolas Vincent (SIUE) 7-5, 6-4
3. Daridge Saidi (EKU) def. Tristan Houle (SIUE) 6-2, 6-3
4. Sebastian Mueller (EKU) def. Jacob Perkins (SIUE) 7-6 (6), 6-4
5. Nico Kuehn (SIUE) def. Diogo Soares (EKU) 6-3, 2-6, (10-8)
6. Patrick Gaffigan (SIUE) def. Juanjo de la Llera (EKU) 8-1
 
Doubles
1. de la Llera/Mueller (EKU) def. Jonsson/Kuehn (SIUE) 8-2
2. Álvaro/Asis (EKU) def. Washuta/Vincent (SIUE) 8-4
3. Soares/van Flymen (EKU) led Gaffigan/Hutchinson (SIUE) 7-4 DNF
 
Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (15-7, 7-1 OVC); SIUE (8-11, 3-5 OVC)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2*); Singles (2, 3, 4*, 1, 5, 6)