The No. 2-ranked Emory men's tennis opened defense of its ITA National Indoor Championship on a successful note Friday evening, defeating host Gustavus Adolphus in a quarterfinal match.  The Eagles raised their spring record to 4-0 following a 6-3 decision over the Gusties who slipped to 5-3.  This year's Championships are being held at the Swanson Tennis Center in St. Peter, Minnesota.

After Gustavus Adolphus claimed the first point of the match following a win at the No. 1 doubles, the Eagles bounced back to captured the next two matches.   Junior Elliot Kahler and freshman Ian Wagner raised their dual mark to 4-0 on the spring with an 8-3 verdict over Tyler Johnson and Patrick Clark at No. 2.   Senior Will Humphreys and freshman Brian Kowalski pushed the Eagles ahead by a 2-1 count after the duo battled to a 9-8 victory against Juan Luis and Marcel Gyswyt at the No. 3 spot. 

Emory kept the pressure on Gustavus, racing to a 4-2 lead after capturing the first three singles matches that were played.  Freshman Eric Halpern posted his third win in four outings this spring with a solid 6-4, 6-1 triumph over Patrick Clark at No. 4.  Kowalski picked up the squad's second singles win with a 6-4, 6-4 decision over Mya Smith-Dennis at No. 2.  Senior Dillon Pottish, the nation's top D-III singles performer, gave Emory a two-match advantage with a three-set win over Amrik Donkena, the No. 7-ranked Division III player, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.  Gustavus drew to within one point with a win at No. 3 singles, but Emory clinched the outcome when sophomore Simon Lavoie-Perusse posted a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 verdict over Gyswyt at No. 5.  Alex Ruderman brought home the final singles win at the No. 6 spot.

With the victory, Emory advances to the semifinal round on  Saturday where they will play either Kenyon College or Pomona-Pitzer  starting at 2:00 p.m. (CST).


For quarterfinal round results, please click here.