Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior Diego Asis won a three-set thriller at No. 5 singles to clinch the Eastern Kentucky University men's tennis team's 4-3 victory over Jacksonville State on Friday at the Greg Adams Tennis Center.
 
With the entire crowd watching, Asis fell behind JSU freshman Paolo Cucalon, 2-3, in the third set. However, he rallied to win the final four games, securing a hard-fought win for the Colonels.
 
Jacksonville State (9-6, 2-1 OVC) entered the weekend undefeated in conference play.
 
EKU (13-6, 2-0 OVC) entered singles play down a point after being handily beaten in the doubles competition. When senior Sebastian Mueller fell at No. 1 singles (6-2, 6-4), it looked bleak for Eastern. However, junior Ramon van Flymen (6-3, 6-3) and freshman Parth Aggarwal (7-6, 6-4) responded by winning in straight sets at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, and sophomore Jan Kuehling saved three match points to grind out a three-set win at No. 4 (2-6, 7-6, 7-6), giving the Colonels the lead.
 
When freshman Romain Stoffels fell to Jacksonville State's Andres Gomez at No. 6 (7-6, 6-0), it was all square at 3-3, setting the stage for Asis' dramatic win over Cucalon (7-6, 4-6, 6-3).
 
"After basically getting annihilated in doubles, the guys showed great composure to come back and win, because Jacksonville State had a lot of momentum," head coach Rob Oertel said. "It all came down to Diego's big match, and he played like a composed senior. He's been the MVP for us so far this season."
 
"We prepared this week for exactly the scenarios Diego was put in," Oertel added. "I credit our preparation at practice for this victory more than anything else."
 
The Colonels continue their home stand on Saturday against Tennessee Tech.  The match is now set to begin at 1:00 p.m. It was originally scheduled to get underway at 11:00 a.m.
 
Eastern Kentucky University 4, Jacksonville State University 3
Singles competition
1. REESE, Jaryd (JSU) def. Sebastian Mueller (EKU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Ramon van Flymen (EKU) def. CAFFARENA, Pablo (JSU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Parth Aggarwal (EKU) def. MORCK, Felix (JSU) 7-6, 6-4
4. Jan Kuehling (EKU) def. CHAIM, Mathias (JSU) 2-6, 7-6, 7-6
5. Diego Asis (EKU) def. CUCALON, Paolo (JSU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
6. GOMEZ, Andres (JSU) def. Romain Stoffels (EKU) 7-6, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. REESE, Jaryd/McCORMICK, Austin (JSU) def. Sebastian Mueller/Jan Kuehling (EKU) 6-3
2. MORCK, Felix/CHAIM, Mathias (JSU) def. Ramon van Flymen/Diego Asis (EKU) 6-2
3. Parth Aggarwal/Romain Stoffels (EKU) vs. GOMEZ, Andres/CAFFARENA, Pablo (JSU) 3-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
Jacksonville State 9-6 (2-1 OVC)
Eastern Kentucky University 13-6 (2-0 OVC)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,1,3,6,4,5)
Official: Brenda Emery