Tennis Takes KIAC Title

RICHMOND, Ind. – It’s been 14 years since Asbury men’s tennis has laid claim to the KIAC title, but the title returns to Wilmore after the Eagles dismantled Indiana East 9-0 in their conference finale on Wednesday.  The Eagles close out the regular season with a non-conference match against Berea on Friday.

Asbury (11-6, 5-0 KIAC) completed their first undefeated conference season with the win over IUE, and is one win from tying the school record for wins.  The Eagles dropped only nine games against the Red Wolves in their fourth 9-0 win of the season.

In doubles the top two teams won 8-0 as Nathan Schley and Scott Layton improved to 14-2 on the season at the number one position.  Braun Applegate and Daniel Harris moved to 3-0 in the second position.  In the third spot Justin Westlund and Stephen Woods won convincingly at 8-2 and are now 3-0 together.

At the top and bottom of the singles lineup the Eagles won 6-0, 6-0 as Schely improved to a team-leading 13-3 on the season.  Justin Westlund, playing at number six, moved to 8-6 on the season.  Scott Layton won at number two 6-0, 6-1 and is now 12-5.  Applegate, Woods and Harris were also all winners in straight sets.

The Eagles have won the KIAC Title twice before, back-to-back in 1997 and 1998.

Asbury’s regular season finale and senior day will be on Friday against Berea at home at 5 p.m.  The Eagles will enter the KIAC Tournament next weekend as the top seed and will play the winner of the #4 seed Indiana East and #5 seed St. Louis Pharmacy on Friday May 4.  The tournament winner will qualify for the NAIA National Tournament in Mobile, Ala. beginning on May 15.