Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Mar. 29, 2024 - Facing the defending College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin champions in a battle of the two nationally-ranked teams in the league, the No. 33 North Central College men's tennis team fought to a 7-2 victory over No. 30 Carthage College to put the Cardinals on top of the conference standings heading into the final month of their regular season.

In doubles play, Guillermo Gonzalez Fernandez and Wyatt Crowell claimed the first point of the day with an 8-4 win at No. 1. After the Firebirds evened the score, Matthew Sengphommachanh and Ramon Vilarroig Martinez put the Cardinals on top, 2-1 with an 8-4 win at the No. 2 fixture.

The Firebirds took the first singles match at No. 3, but North Central answered to regain a lead they would not relinquish. Daniel Estanislao rolled to a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 6 before Sengphommachanh won 6-3, 6-4 in the No. 2 spot. Clinching the match was Crowell captured a hard-fought 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-4 win at No. 4. Rafael Lessa captured a comeback 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 win before Vilarroig Martinez closed out the match with a 7-4 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3 win at the top spot.

North Central continues CCIW play on Saturday with a match against Carroll University. That contest is set for noon at a location to be determined based on weather conditions.

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