Sports News

MEN’S TENNIS

The Huntington University men’s tennis team made program history on Friday afternoon, earning its first-ever victory over NCAA Division II Davenport University with a 5–2 triumph at Klopfenstein Courts. The win marks the Foresters’ first in five all-time meetings with the Panthers dating back to 2011. 

Despite dropping all three doubles matches, Huntington refused to let the early deficit define the match. The pairings of Julian Tantera / Francisco López Real (5–7), Pablo López Real / Martín Capdevila (4–6), and Paul Reupke / Marco Silveira (3–6) were all narrowly defeated, setting the stage for a dramatic singles comeback. 

In singles play, the Foresters mounted a decisive rally, winning five of six matches to secure the historic victory: 

  • Martín Capdevila earned a 6–2, 6–4 victory at No. 2. 

  • Francisco López Real claimed a 6–1, 7–5 win at No. 4. 

  • Juan Carrasco clinched the fifth point for HU with a thrilling 6–1, 5–7, 10–8 tiebreaker victory at No. 5. 

  • Paul Reupke fell 1–6, 5–7 at No. 6, the lone singles loss. 

The victory represents a major milestone for the Foresters and head coach Ignacio Poncio. Now in his sixth season at the helm, Poncio continues to elevate the HU men’s program into national recognition as a top contender at the NAIA level. 

The match also marked the final contest of the Foresters’ fall schedule. Huntington will now turn its attention to the spring season, which gets underway in late January, as the Foresters look to carry their confidence into conference play. 

 

Posted By: Tim Averill