GCU sweeps Chicago State 7-0 on Senior Day

Sunday, March 26

Phoenix, AZ

9 AM

Grand Canyon

Chicago State

3/26/2017 4:07:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Photo Gallery

By: Samantha Fell

PHOENIX – The GCU men's tennis team completed a perfect sweep of Chicago State on Sunday morning to send off four athletes celebrating Senior Day in the best way. The Lopes defeated Chicago State 7-0 and improve to 13-10 overall and 2-1 in the WAC conference.

"The men had the perfect Senior Day today," GCU head coach Greg Prudhomme stated. "The day started off with four seniors on all three doubles courts."

In doubles play, senior Rafael Lira and partner Valentin Lang quickly won by a score of 6-1 on Court 3 to give GCU the early advantage. On Court 2, Mathieu Rajaonah partnered with senior Mathieu Ounanian to get another quick win, by a score of 6-3, to earn the doubles point for the Lopes. For good measure, the senior duo of Adrian Legarreta and Philip Kuehnen also added a win on Court 1 by a 6-4 mark.

"The same momentum carried through to singles," Prudhomme added. "The last match on was only fitting that it was the only senior in the singles lineup. After getting forced into the third set, Adrian [Legarreta] was able to prevail with a 10-7 score. It was fitting to have him finish with a battle because he's been one of the best competitors and one of the most spirited players that we've had at Grand Canyon. It was great that he got to finish his last home match on a high note with a 7-0 victory."

Legarreta was the final Lope to win his match. He battled against Martinez of Chicago State to earn a 7-5, 2-6, 10-7 win at No. 3 and round out the perfect day for GCU.

Six other Lopes won singles matches for the day. Francois Musitelli won 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1 and Rajaonah defeated his opponent 6-3, 6-3 on Court 2. Justin Cvitanovic, Lang, and Gregoire Balenci also earned wins on Courts 4, 5, and 6.

"It was a great day," Prudhomme commented. "The guys capped off a tough weekend of WAC matches. It's nice to have a winning record going into the final weekend of the season in Seattle. The guys are pumped up to try to finish as strong as they can in the WAC."

The Lopes will compete in the final WAC matches of the year in Seattle in two weeks. GCU will face UT Rio Grande Valley on April 8 and Seattle U on April 9 in hopes of winning a share of the conference title.

Grand Canyon University 7, Chicago State 0
Mar 26, 2017 at Phoenix, Ariz. (GCU Tennis Facility)

Singles competition
1. Francois Musitelli (GCU) def. Jiri Nouza (CST) 6-4, 6-2
2. Mathieu Rajaonah (GCU) def. Felix Savard (CST) 6-3, 6-3
3. Adrian Legarreta (GCU) def. Gonzalo Martinez (CST) 7-5, 2-6, 10-7
4. Justin Cvitanovic (GCU) def. Rohan Wattley (CST) 6-0, 6-2
5. Valentin Lang (GCU) def. Christian Gonzalez (CST) 6-3, 6-2
6. Gregoire Balenci (GCU) def. Cody Wurzelbacher (CST) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Adrian Legarreta/Philip Kuehnen (GCU) def. Felix Savard/Jiri Nouza (CST) 6-4
2. Mathieu Rajaonah/Mathieu Ounanian (GCU) def. Christian Gonzalez/Gonzalo Martinez (CST) 6-3
3. Valentin Lang/Rafael Lira (GCU) def. Rohan Wattley/Cody Wurzelbacher (CST) 6-1

Match Notes
Chicago State 6-11
Grand Canyon University 13-10