Leathernecks Fall on Senior Day

Christoph Haertel, Chris Bunch, and Anthony Timberlake honored in final home match

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois men's tennis team closed out the regular season on Sunday, April 19, as they played host to Saint Louis on Senior Day. Christoph Haertel, Chris Bunch, and Anthony Timberlake were honored prior to the start of the match as they made their final home appearance in the Purple and Gold. Western couldn't send the seniors out in style as the team dropped a 6-1 decision to Saint Louis. The Leathernecks finish the regular season 0-19 (0-6).

Nikola Pavlovic earned Western's lone victory as he defeated Yehia El Sallaly in the No. 3 singles position. It took a tiebreaker to determine the first set, as Pavlovic claimed with a 7-3 victory in the tiebreaker. After knotting the match at one set a piece, it went to a 10-point tiebreaker to determine the match. Pavlovic emerged victorious as he picked up a 10-3 tiebreaker victory to get Western on the board.

Haertel battled at the top position, but ultimately fell, 7-5, 6-3. Bunch took to the No. 2 spot but was defeated by a 6-1, 6-0 final. Timberlake's match at No. 6 singles went the way of the Billikens, 6-0, 6-0.

Elsewhere, Surya Sawhney fell 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles and Jacob Sanders dropped a 6-2, 6-0 decision at the No. 5 slot.

Prior to singles action, Western failed to convert on the doubles point, as Saint Louis claimed victories at the No. 2 and 3 positions. Sawhney and Bunch fell, 8-2, at the No. 2 spot while the duo of Timberlake/Sanders dropped an 8-0 decision at No. 3. Haertel and Pavlovic's match was suspended with the Leathernecks leading 3-2, as the doubles point had been secured.

Western returns to action on Friday, April 24, as the team heads to Fort Wayne for The Summit League Championships. Opponent and starting time are to be determined.

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Players Mentioned

Chris Bunch: Senior

Christoph Haertel: Senior

Surya Sawhney: Freshman

Jacob Sanders: Freshman

Nikola Pavlovic: Junior

Anthony Timberlake: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Chris Bunch
: Senior

Christoph Haertel
: Senior

Surya Sawhney
: Freshman

Jacob Sanders
: Freshman

Nikola Pavlovic
: Junior

Anthony Timberlake
: Sophomore