DES MOINES, Iowa -- The day could not have started any better for the Wildcats, as they swept the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 7-0.
 
The Wildcats quickly jumped out to a lead by taking the doubles point thanks to wins from the Arizona pairing of freshman Filip Malbasic and sophomore Alejandro Reguant (6-2) and the pairing of junior Jonas Maier and freshman Aaro Pollanen (6-1). The freshman pairing of Igor Karpovets and Carlos Hassey completed the perfect doubles session (7-5).
 
Singles play also went perfectly, with none of the Cats even dropping a set. Reguant won his match 6-0, 6-0 over South Dakota State freshman Aidan DeBoer to highlight the singles session. It was Botha's 6-4, 6-1 win over freshman Carlos Martinez (SDSU) that clinched the match for the Cats.
 
The afternoon match came down to the wire, but the Drake Bulldogs ended up squeaking out a victory by a score of 4-3.
 
Drake won the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead, but the Cats bounced back in singles. Reguant rolled to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Drake senior Ben Wood, and Malbasic continued his success with a 6-3, 6-3 win against junior Ben Clark. Botha also won his match, but it was not enough for the Wildcats as they came up one point short.
 
"Tough match today," said head coach Clancy Shields. "Congratulations to Drake. They are a tough team, especially at home indoors. We have a lot of young guys, and we are learning each match and gaining valuable experience. We need to bounce back tomorrow versus Iowa on their home courts."
 
That match against Iowa will take place Sunday at 11:00 a.m. MST. The Wildcats have never lost to the Hawkeyes in the history of their program.
 
Results
Singles vs. South Dakota State
Igor Karpovets (UA) def. Emerson Styles (SDSU) 6-3, 6-3
Aaro Pollanen (UA) def. Alex Reinke (SDSU) 6-1, 6-3
Jonas Maier (UA) def. Marco Paulo (SDSU) 7-5, 6-2
Trent Botha (UA) def. Carlos Martinez (SDSU) 6-4, 6-1
Filip Malbasic (UA) def. Elliot Ward (SDSU) 6-0, 6-4
Alejandro Reguant (UA) def. Aidan DeBoer (SDSU) 6-0, 6-0
Order: 6,1,4,5,2,3
 
Doubles vs. South Dakota State
Karpovets/Hassey (UA) def. Paulo/Ward (SDSU) 7-5
Pollanen/Maier (UA) def. Styles/Reinke (SDSU) 6-1
Malbasic/Reguant (UA) def. Martinez/DeBoer (SDSU) 6-2
Order: 3,2,1
 
Singles vs. Drake
Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Igor Karpovets (UA) 6-4, 6-2
Tom Hands (DU) def. Aaro Pollanen (UA) 6-1, 6-1
Trent Botha (UA) vs. Barny Thorold (DU) 7-5, 2-6, 5-5, unf.
Filip Malbasic (UA) def. Ben Clark (DU) 6-3, 6-3
Alejandro Reguant (UA) def. Ben Wood (DU) 6-3, 6-2
Finley Hall (DU) def. Carlos Hassey (UA) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
Order: 2,5,1,4,6
 
Doubles vs. Drake
Karpovets/Hassey (UA) vs. Gillespie/Thorold (DU) 5-5 unf.
Wood/Hall (DU) def. Maier/Pollanen (UA) 6-4
Hands/Clark (DU) def. Reguant/Malbasic 6-2
Order: 3,2
 
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