MADISON, Wis. – The men's tennis team won their third match in a row, defeating Valparaiso 6-1 on Saturday afternoon in the first of a doubleheader at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The Badgers (3-0) have been on a hot streak since the season started, taking down a ranked Princeton team the previous week.
 

"I was very pleased with our preparation," said head coach Danny Westerman. "The doubles was competitive and it was really critical for us to get that lead."
 

Senior Jakhongir Jalalov and sophomore Chema Carranza resumed their spot at No. 2 doubles, cruising by Valpo's Dave Bacalla and Lucas Waak, 6-2. Senior Alexander Kokorev and sophomore Darius Mackenzie were bested by Chad Kissell and Kyle Dunn at the No. 3 spot, 6-3.
 

The doubles point came down to the No. 1 slot, where sophomores Josef Dodridge and Lamar Remy took the court against Valpo's Charlie Emhardt and Jeffrey Schorsch, who are ranked as the 33nd doubles pair in the nation. 
 

Dodridge and Remy came back from down a break and a 4-1 deficit to pull out a tie-breaker win, 7-6 (7-5), and secure the doubles point for UW. 
 

In singles play, UW claimed five of the six matches. Freshman Osgar O'Hoisin made quick work of his opponent, Charlie Emhardt, winning 6-4, 6-2. Kokorev continued his success at the No. 2 singles spot, dominating Valpo's Dave Bacalla to win 6-0, 6-2.
 

"When you're rolling and you're confident, you're not afraid of anyone in front of you," Westerman said of Kokorev. "He's really put in the work. He's been very professional, he's very hard on himself in practice with expecting a high level of play, and it's starting to show."
 

Carranza would clinch the win and keep UW perfect on the season, beating Michael Savaglio 6-3, 6-4 in the No. 6 singles position.
 

Remy claimed his first victory of the spring, topping Chad Kissell in three sets, winning 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Mackenzie would post the final win for the Badgers, taking down Kyle Dunn at the No. 5 spot, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4. 
 

"Remy's playing a tough position, and in the last match he had a tough opponent in Princeton," said Westerman. "He's playing really well, he's practicing phenomenally, and he's put himself in incredible shape so he deserves the win."
 

With the first half of their doubleheader complete, the Badgers take the court again Saturday evening as they host South Dakota State at 6 p.m. (CT). Wisconsin hits the road next week as they travel to rival Minnesota on February 7, with a match time of Noon. 
 

 

1. Josef Dodridge/Lamar Remy (UW) def. Charlie Emhardt/Jeffrey Schorsch (VALPO), 7-6 (7-5)

2. Jakhongir Jalalov/Chema Carranza (UW) def. Dave Bacalla/Lucas Waak (VALPO), 6-2

3. Chad Kissell/Kyle Dunn (VALPO) def. Alexander Kokorev/Darius Mackenzie (UW), 6-3

 

1. Jeffrey Schorsch (VALPO) def. Josef Dodridge (UW), 6-4, 6-4

2. Alexander Kokorev (UW) def. Dave Bacalla (VALPO), 6-0, 6-2

3. Lamar Remy (UW) def. Chad Kissell (VALPO), 6-1, 2-6, 6-3

4. Osgar O'Hoisin (UW) def. Charlie Emhardt (VALPO), 6-4, 6-2

5. Darius Mackenzie (UW) def. Kyle Dunn (VALPO), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4

6. Chema Carranza (UW) def. Michael Savaglio (VALPO), 6-3, 6-4