USI Screaming Eagles | Men's Tennis

May 05, 2005

USI men’s tennis advances to play Ferris State in finals

NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region
First and Second Round Men's Tennis Tournament
May 5-6, 2005 Ferris State Racquet and Fitness Center Big Rapids, Mich.

Box Score: USI 5, Shepherd 0

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of Southern Indiana will advance to the regional championship match with a 5-0 victory over Shepherd University Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional.

The Screaming Eagles (13-6) started the match by winning all of the doubles points. Sophomore Joe Epkey (Greenwood, Indiana) and junior Ryan Hughes (England) led the way with an 8-3 victory at number one doubles. Senior Kyle Taylor (Veedersburg, Indiana) and freshman Jarrod Epkey (Greenwood, Indiana) picked up USI’s second win at number two doubles, 8-5, while seniors Evan Luttrell (Logansport, Indiana) and Nim Shetty (India) closed out the doubles matches with an 8-1 victory.

The Epkey brothers sealed the victory with straight-set wins at number one and two singles. Joe Epkey defeated Shepherd’s Tim Halter, 6-2 and 6-1, at number one singles, while Jarrod Epkey won at number two over Brian Clarke, 6-0 and 6-1.

USI will face the tournament host and the nation's 35th-ranked squad in Ferris State Friday at 1 p.m. (CDT) for the regional title. Ferris State defeated Grand Valley State University, 5-0, for the right to advance.

Friday's regional champion will earn a berth into the 16-team single elimination national championship field slated for May 11-14 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information

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