Trojans Men’s Tennis Program Returns with Thrilling 4-3 Victory
UPLAND, Ind. — Taylor University's men's tennis team marked the historic restart of its program with a 4-3 victory over Indiana University East on Monday at the Taylor Tennis Complex, ending a five-year hiatus that began with department restructuring in spring 2020.
The Trojans trailed 3-1 before rallying with three consecutive singles victories to claim their first dual match since the program's return.
Tyler Lane and Graham Beukelman provided crucial wins at the top of the singles lineup to even the match at 3-3. Beukelman got off to a fast start and won his No. 2 singles match 6-1, 6-4, while Lane fought through a tight first set to win 7-5, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.
Andrew Roth clinched the victory with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles after the match was tied.
Josh Dawson opened Taylor's scoring with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 5 singles.
Indiana East took an early 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point, though Taylor's Joey Harper and Garrett Spencer captured the No. 2 doubles match 6-4.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Taylor athletics as the tennis program returns to competition after the five-year break.
Taylor continues its fall season Friday with a road match at Trine.
Singles
(order of finish: 5-4-3-2-1-6)
- Tyler Lane (TU) def. Juan Diego Balao (IUE) 7-5, 6-3
- Graham Beukelman (TU) def. Andrea Klaric (IUE) 6-1, 6-4
- Sachin Vanaraja (IUE) def. Joey Harper (TU) 6-4, 6-0
- Alexander Piercy (IUE) def. Garrett Spencer (TU) 6-1, 6-2
- Josh Dawson (TU) def. Clay Conner (IUE) 6-1, 6-2
- Andrew Roth (TU) def. Bryce Wennen (IUE) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
- Juan Diego Balao/Andrea Klaric (IUE) def. TylerLane/Graham Beukelman (TU) 6-2
- Joey Harper/Garrett Spencer (TU) def. Sachin Vanaraja/Jace Wilkerson (IUE) 6-4
- Alexander Piercy/Connor Burk (IUE) def. Andrew Roth/Josh Clegg (TU) 6-3
