Men Maintain Top Spot with 5-2 Win

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – It was a battle, but Texas A&M-Corpus Christi kept its perfect Southland Conference record intact with a 5-2 victory over UIW Sunday afternoon at the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center. The victory keeps the Islanders tied atop the Southland heading into the final two matches of the season.

The men are now 69-5 against Southland Conference foes since 2007.
 
UIW (6-14, 1-3) came out strong in doubles play to take an early advantage. The Cardinals took a pair of 6-4 wins on courts one and three to snag the doubles point. Cagatay Soke and Paul Cook earned a 6-4 win at two for the Islanders, but it was not enough as UIW jumped to the 1-0 lead.
 
In singles play, Carlos Pedrosa Cuevas and Kevin Bettendroffer earned quick victories to set the tone for the Islander comeback.
 
Pedrosa Cuevas improved to 12-2 on the season and a perfect 3-0 in Southland Conference singles play with a straight-set win at five. The sophomore rolled past Caleb Dyer in 6-1, 6-2 fashion to give the Islanders their first point of the afternoon.
 
Shortly after Pedrosa Cuevas leveled the match, Bettendroffer gave the Blue and Green its first advantage of the day with his win at number one. The senior knocked off Sebastian Mortier in the top spot of the order, earning a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
 
The lead would grow to 3-1 thanks to fellow senior Paul Cook. Earning his ninth win of the season and staying unbeaten in Southland matches, Cook upended Joey Vatanadilok in a pair of 6-3 sets. Cook is one of five Islanders with a perfect 3-0 mark in conference play.
 
UIW pulled a point back as Francisco Bendana earned a win at two. Bendana toppled Cagatay Soke in 7-5, 6-2 fashion as UIW got its lone singles win of the day.
 
At 3-2, the match hung in the balance as William Mottet headed to a third set and Gonzalo Achondo was locked in a tiebreak in the second set. It was Achondo who would clinch as the rookie held off Nedim Ahmic for a 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory.
 
Mottet would add insurance and finish off the 5-2 victory with his team-leading 13th win of the year. The freshman continued his hot play with a three-set grind over Ivanhoe Lissanevitch. Mottet earned the victory with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 score line.
 
With the victory, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi remains in a tie for first in the Southland Conference. The Islanders are one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the league along with Lamar.
 
MOORE THOUGHTS
 
On performance…
"I think the guys learned a lot today. I think they learned about the type of energy and spirit they have to bring – every guy from the start. The standards are very high here and that's not for everyone, but we don't apologize for that. Guys have been delivering those standards now for 14 years here. We took a step backwards and then took five forward to correct it, but we cannot start off digging ourselves a hole like that. We have to bring more energy and effort."
 
On UIW…
"I would really credit coach John Newman and Incarnate Word for the way they came out. They tested us with incredible spirit and energy and challenged us to match it. Some of our guys did and some of our guys did not, but I salute them for the match they played."
 
On stretch run…
"I told the guys we've been training brutally hard since September for this stretch run. We've got to work on some things – our freshman have to play with more physicality and freedom and our seniors have to lead with more spirit and energy. We've got to play every point with intensity because to win championships, every point is a big point.  That's the standard we have to reach and I believe in them and believe we will get there."
 
 
TWO REMAIN
 
Corpus Christi now has 10 days off before returning to action April 19 at Abilene Christian. Following that match, the Islanders return home to face Lamar on Senior Day, set for April 21.