FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas closed out the regular season on Sunday, defeating Vanderbilt, 4-3, on Senior Day.
Winning its two matches at home this weekend, Arkansas finishes the regular season with an overall record of 15-11 and a 6-6 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
“We are very proud of our team and our seniors,” said head coach Andy Jackson. “They have overcome a lot and kept putting their heart into the team, and this weekend they got the reward they deserved. Vanderbilt dug deep but we responded and showed a lot of poise. We are pleased to finish in the top half of the conference for two years in a row and we are excited for the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Those events are special and we eager to get to play.”
The Razorbacks finished tied for sixth in the final SEC standings, marking the second consecutive year that Arkansas has finished in the top half of the conference standings. Despite the tie, the Razorbacks will be the seven seed in the SEC Men’s Tennis Tournament, scheduled to face the 10-seed LSU Tigers on Thursday, April 27 at a time yet to be determined. Earlier in the year, Arkansas won 4-3 at LSU for the program’s first ever victory in Baton Rouge.
Adam Sanjurjo and Johan den Toom improved to 2-0 as a doubles pairing this spring, defeating Baker Newman and Pen Binet of Vanderbilt 6-3 to get things started for the Razorbacks. Arkansas (15-11, 6-6 SEC) clinched the doubles point after Oscar Mesquida and Juan Marino knocked off Daniel Valent and Panu Virtanen 6-3. The No. 7 doubles duo of Mike Redlicki and Jose Salazar were ahead 4-3 before play was suspended at the clinch.
Vanderbilt (11-14, 2-10 SEC) evened things up in singles play with a victory on court six, but Arkansas quickly took the advantage again with a 7-5, 6-3 win on court four by Sanjurjo over Lachlan McPhee.
No. 11 Redlicki pushed Arkansas to a 3-1 lead with a 6-3, 7-5 win at the No. 1 spot over No. 58 Valent. Redlicki’s win marked his 50th career singles victory as a Razorback.
The Commodores narrowed the gap after No. 29 Salazar fell 6-0, 2-6, 4-6 to Newman.
At the No. 3 spot, Mesquida defeated Billy Rowe 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to clinch the victory for Arkansas and improve his record to 15-6 this spring in singles play.
Following the clinch, den Toom fell to Tate Allwardt 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 to give Vanderbilt their third point.
Arkansas 4, Vanderbilt 3
Doubles competition – Order of finish (2, 3)
1. #7 Mike Redlicki/Jose Salazar (AR) vs. #44 Lachlan McPhee/Billy Rowe (VU) 4-3, unfinished
2. Adam Sanjurjo/Johan den Toom (AR) def. Pen Binet/Baker Newman (VU) 6-3
3. Oscar Mesquida/Juan Marino (AR) def. Daniel Valent/Panu Virtanen (VU) 6-3
Singles competition – Order of finish (6,4,1,2,3,5)
1. #11 Mike Redlicki (AR) def. #58 Daniel Valent (VU) 6-3, 7-5
2. Baker Newman (VU) def. #29 Jose Salazar (AR) 0-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Oscar Mesquida (AR) def. Billy Rowe (VU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
4. Adam Sanjurjo (AR) def. Lachlan McPhee (VU) 7-5, 6-3
5. Tate Allwardt (VU) def. Johan den Toom (AR) 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Pen Binet (VU) def. Juan Marino (AR) 7-5, 6-2
