DALLAS, Texas — Advancing to the American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship match for the third year in a row, East Texas Baptist University edged Hardin-Simmons University 4-2 on Friday at Ruth and Ken Altshuler Courts on the campus of Southern Methodist University. ETBU secured the doubles point with victories at No. 2 and No. 3 flights and clinched the match with singles wins at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 positions.
ETBU secured the doubles point against HSU with decisive victories on two courts. At No. 2 doubles,
Erick Van Zyl and
Mark Armbruster defeated Maddux Foster and
Kayden Lengacher, 6-3. The No. 3 doubles pair of
Jacob Daniell and
Jaco Snyman clinched the point with a 6-1 win over Phoenix Davis and Jameson Sorrell. The No. 1 doubles match featuring
Max Karseno and
Sam Black was left unfinished with a score of 2-5.
In singles play, HSU evened the overall score with Payne Smith's 6-3, 6-2 win over Black at No. 1 singles. However, the Tigers regained momentum as Armbruster triumphed at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-3, against Gabe Harris, putting ETBU ahead 2-1.
Baptiste Berthier extended the lead with a straight-sets victory at No. 5 singles, 6-4, 6-4 over Lengacher.
Van Zyl clinched the match for the Tigers at No. 4 singles, overcoming Brandon Curiel in a closely contested match, 7-6(4), 7-6(6).
ETBU will either face Mary Hardin-Baylor or Howard Payne for the championship on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Belton, Texas.
Doubles
Gabe Harris/Payne Smith (HSU) def.
Max Karseno/
Sam Black (ETBU) 5-2
Erick Van Zyl/
Mark Armbruster (ETBU) def. Maddux Foster/
Kayden Lengacher (HSU) 6-3
Jacob Daniell/
Jaco Snyman (ETBU) def. Phoenix Davis/Jameson Sorrell (HSU) 6-1
Order of finish: 3, 2
Singles
Payne Smith (HSU) def.
Sam Black (ETBU) 6-3, 6-2
Maddux Foster (HSU) vs.
Jaco Snyman (ETBU) 5-2 (unfinished)
Mark Armbruster (ETBU) def. Gabe Harris (HSU) 6-3, 6-3
Erick Van Zyl (ETBU) def. Brandon Curiel (HSU) 7-6(4), 7-4
Baptiste Berthier (ETBU) def.
Kayden Lengacher (HSU) 6-4, 6-4
Phoenix Davis (HSU) def.
Max Karseno (ETBU) 6-3
Order of finish: 1, 3, 5, 4, 6
