Wichita Falls, TX - McKendree University Men's Tennis battled throughout singles play, but fell 5-2 to Midwestern State-Texas after the Mustangs secured the doubles point and four singles victories on their home courts. 

Midwestern State jumped out to the early advantage by sweeping the doubles matches to claim the first point of the day. The Mustangs opened with a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles over the McKendree pairing of Ignacio Paolini and Bendix Schroeder, then added a 6-2 decision at No. 2 against Felix Diedrichs and Riccardo Ercolani. The point was clinched at No. 3 doubles where Aimar Oregui and Arhaan Pahwa fell 6-1.

Depsite the early deficit, the Bearcats showed resilience once singles play began. McKendree picked up the first point at No. 1 singles, where Ignacio Paolini fought through a tightly contested match to defeat the nation's No. 8 player in Germano Setti. Paolini took the opening set 6-4 before dropping the second 3-6, then prevailed in a tiebreaker 10-6 to secure the victory. The Bearcats added another point at No. 6 singles, where Aimar Oregui earned a hard-fought win over Tomas Leguizamon Chaves. Oregui controlled the first set 6-2, fell in a close 7-6 second set, and rallied in the match tiebreak to claim a 10-5 decision. 

Several other matches were competitive for McKendree. At No. 3 singles, Felix Diedrichs took the opening set 6-4 before Midwestern State's Jose Marquez responded to win the next two sets 6-0 and 6-2. The Mustangs also secured straight-set wins at No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 singles to seal the team result. 

Midwestern State ultimately captured the match by a 5-2 final score, but the Bearcats' victories from Paolini and Oregui highlighted McKendree's fight in singles play. 

MATCH RESULTS | MIDWESTERN STATE 5, McKENDREE 2
Doubles Play
1. Loeches Llamas/Sanchez (MSU) def. Paolini/Schroeder (MCK), 6-3
2. Earle/Setti (MSU) def. Diedrichs/Ercolani (MCK), 6-2
3. Duque/Marquez (MSU) def. Oregui/Pahwa (MCK), 6-1

Singles Play
1. Ignacio Paolini (MCK) def. Germano Setti (MSU) | 6-4, 3-6, 10-6
2. Bruno Sanchez (MSU) def. Bendix Schroeder (MCK) | 6-2, 6-4
3. Jose Marquez (MSU) def. Felix Diedrichs (MCK) | 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
4. Juan David Duque (MSU) def. Luka Kalenic (MCK) | 6-2, 6-0
5. Matthew Earle (MSU) def. Riccardo Ercolani (MCK) | 6-4, 6-4
6. Aimar Oregui (MCK) def. Tomas Leguizamon Chaves (MSU) | 6-2, 6-7, 10-5

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
vs. Northwest Missouri State Bearcats
Friday, March 20th - 2:00 PM 
at O'Fallon Township High School