Storm defeat Prairie Wolves to clinch A-R-C AQ Tournament spot
INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson College men's tennis team clinched a berth in the American Rivers Conference Automatic Qualifier Tournament with a 5-4 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday.
The Storm (6-10, 3-5 A-R-C) earned the sixth seed in this year's tournament after winning their final three of four league matches. This is the first time the squad has secured a spot in the tournament since the 2013-14 campaign.
The Prairie Wolves (2-6, 2-6 A-R-C) jumped out to a quick 2-1 lead after winning two doubles matches. The duo of Reade Reiter and Brett Dewerff won 8-5 at No. 2 to tally Simpson's lone point.
In singles play, the Storm gained the lead after winning three-straight solo bouts. Caleb Vasconez knotted the match at 2-2 with 6-0, 6-0 set victories at No. 3 singles. Ethan Humble provided the team with their first lead with a straight-set triumph of 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 6 slot. Peter Walkwitz continued the streak at No. 4 singles (6-2, 6-4).
Nebraska Wesleyan fought back with two-straight victories to tie the regular-season finale at 4-4. With Aaron Price's match still going at No. 2, he went to a third set to keep Simpson's season alive. Price won the first set 7-6 with a 7-4 tiebreaker, before dropping the second to force a third. The sophomore cruised to a 6-2 victory for the Storm's fifth point inside the Buxton Tennis Complex.
Up Next
The A-R-C Automatic Qualifier Tournament begins on Tuesday with Simpson traveling to Central.
Singles competition
1. Ryan Carey (NWU) def. Reade Reiter, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. Aaron Price (SIM) def. Max Rademacher, 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-2
3. Caleb Vasconez (SIM) def. Will Olson, 6-0, 6-0
4. Peter Walkwitz (SIM) def. Cole Lohoefener, 6-2, 6-4
5. Hayden Retzlaff (NWU) def. Brett Dewerff, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
6. Ethan Humble (SIM) def. Vinh Le, 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Ryan Carey/Max Rademacher (NWU) def. Aaron Price/Caleb Vasconez, 8-7 (7-3)
2. Reade Reiter/Brett Dewerff (SIM) def. Will Olson/Vinh Le, 8-5
3. Cole Lohoefener/Hayden Retzlaff (NWU) def. Peter Walkwitz/Ethan Humble, 8-7 (7-4)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,6,4,5,1,2)
