Bye-Bye Bucs

Saturday, February 3

1 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

East Tennessee State

Photo by: David Stluka

February 03, 2018 | Men's Tennis

Wisconsin claims character-building win over East Tennessee State

MADISON, Wis. – It was a chippy affair at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium where Wisconsin took on East Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon. The Badgers (3-2) overcame early deficits in the singles category to pull out a 4-2 win over the Buccaneers (2-3).

Wisconsin claimed the doubles point yet again, stretching their streak to five-consecutive matches. The Badgers scrambled the normal doubles lineup but came out with the same result. Senior Josef Dodridge and sophomore Daniel Soyfer teamed up to grab a 6-1 win at the No. 3 position over ETSU's Sergi Fontcuberta and Miguel Este. Senior Chema Carranza and newcomer freshman Jesper Freimuth put the nail in the coffin with a 6-2 win at the No. 2 spot over Robert Herrera and Tasei Miyamoto, 6-2.

Lamar Remy and Chase Colton were close to pulling off an upset over the 37th-ranked duo of Juan Lugo and Frazier Rengifo when it was stopped at 5-2.

The Badgers met some resistance in the singles category. After Dodridge claimed a shutout, straight-set win over Fontcuberta on court three, Wisconsin would drop the next two matches. Soyfer closed out a three-set win over Frazier Rengifo to put UW within one point of winning the match.

It was Freimuth, a German native who joined the team last month, who sealed the Badger victory, earning his first collegiate win in fashion. The freshman clawed back from down a set to win, 2-6, 7-6, 6-0.

Westerman's Wing: "We knew they were going to be tough. They just came off a tough match, so we knew we were going to get their best. We had a different guy step up and a different combination in doubles – it was fun to see the guys embrace the moment. We earned it."

"His win was huge. He's been getting one percent better each day. It's really tough to come in in January but he came in ready to work. He got the call today and he responded. He was struggling in the first set of his match but he stayed positive, kept his head down, and kept moving. He saved a couple match points and then he absolutely rolled. He is a very good player and I'm not worried about his level of play, I'm just happy he competed. I was very proud of him."

Up Next: Wisconsin has a short rest before taking on Green Bay in the second part of Saturday's doubleheader at 6 p.m. (CT).

Wisconsin 4, East Tennessee State 2
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Nielsen Tennis Stadium | Madison, Wis.