Drake men's tennis suffered a 5鈥�2 defeat against Illinois State, dropping their overall record to 14鈥�4. The Bulldogs secured the doubles point, winning two out of three matches, but could only clinch one singles victory, leading to their loss. Ben Johnson provided the lone singles point for Drake, improving his dual singles record to 8鈥�4, while the Redbirds dominated the singles matches. The Bulldogs are set to host Wichita State next as they attempt to bounce back from this setback.

By the Numbers
  • Drake won 2 out of 3 doubles matches.
  • Ben Johnson is now 8鈥�4 in dual singles this season.
  • Sam Melaga's loss marked his first defeat of the spring, putting him at 12鈥�1.
State of Play
  • Drake started strong by winning the doubles point.
  • Illinois State claimed five of the six singles matches decisively.
  • Drake's next match is against Wichita State on April 4.
What's Next

Looking ahead, Drake will aim to recover from this loss when they face Wichita State. The outcome will be crucial for maintaining momentum in their season. Continuous improvement in singles performances will be key for the Bulldogs to secure a victory.

Bottom Line

Despite a solid start in doubles, the Bulldogs need to enhance their singles performance to avoid similar defeats. Moving forward, consistency across their lineup will be essential to bounce back against Wichita State and regain winning form.