Men's Tennis Punches Ticket Back to NAIA Quarterfinals

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

MOBILE, Ala. – (Bracket) No. 5 Reinhardt is back in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship following its clean sweep over No. 12 San Diego Christian (Calif.), 4-0, Wednesday at the Mobile Tennis Center in Alabama.

With the triumph, the Eagles improved to 10-3 on the season, and did so in emphatic fashion. At line one in doubles action, the duo of Artem Vasheshnikova/Martin Mendoza defeated the NAIA's No. 1 doubles tandem on the men's side (Chris Papa/Ivan Smith), 6-4, to set the tone for the afternoon.

"So proud of my guys today as they played with energy, heart and determination," head coach Jennifer Pourchier said. "They are playing great tennis right now, and more importantly, playing with the pride that the Eagles have always shown. Our doubles stepped up with Artem and Martin beating the No. 1 doubles team in the nation and Fede and Pau winning at line three.

"We had several great showings in singles as well with Artem clinching after Masumi and Pau finished their singles as well."

The doubles point went the way of the hometown squad after Pau Pujadas and Federico Gomez took care of business on line three with a 6-4 decision as well.

Masumi Komada secured a postseason victory at No. 6 singles with a 6-0, 6-2 outcome, while Pujadas went 2-0 on the day with an individual win of 6-2, 6-1 at line five.

Vasheshnikova followed that up with another triumph of his own, this time at No. 1 singles, with a 6-0, 6-4 final to clinch the match.

A familiar foe – Tennessee Wesleyan – awaits tomorrow with a spot in the NAIA Men's Tennis Semifinals on the line.

First serve is set for 2 p.m. 

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