GREENCASTLE, Ind. -- The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) men's tennis matchup between Kenyon College and DePauw University featured a pair of teams on five-dual winning streaks, and the visiting Owls prevailed 7-2 to leapfrog the Tigers in the conference standings. The victory was Kenyon's sixth straight, including five straight against NCAC foes.
With the win, No. 17-ranked Kenyon boosted its record to 11-9 overall and 5-1 in the NCAC. DePauw was previously unbeaten in NCAC contests, but the Tigers dropped to 8-6 overall and 4-1 in the conference as Kenyon took DePauw's second-place spot in the NCAC standings.
The Owls started strong with a pair of 8-4 doubles wins to take an early 2-1 edge in the dual. Thomas Kallarakal and Eric Zhang won in the No. 2 spot, while Luis Andres Platas and Christophe Leblanc prevailed at No. 3. Kenyon had a chance to sweep the doubles matches, but Paulo Pocasangre Kreling and Eliezer Gonzalez suffered their first loss at No. 1 this season after falling 8-7 (7-4).
It was relatively smooth sailing in singles for the Owls, who won five of six matches. Platas won a competitive No. 2 match 7-5, 6-4. At No. 3, Kallarakal won 6-3, 6-0. Pocasangre Kreling had to battle and prevail in set three, winning 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4) at No. 4. In the No. 5 spot, Rakkan Audeh cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 sweep. Zhang rounded out the winning Owls in the No. 6 spot, going 6-1, 7-5. Kenyon's only loss came in the No. 1 match, where Rishil Kondapaneni was forced to retire despite leading 4-3 in the deciding third set.
The Owls will stay in Indiana for their season's final NCAC contest. Kenyon is scheduled to head to Crawfordsville tomorrow, April 16, to take on Wabash College (12-7, 3-3 NCAC) at 11 a.m.
