WHITEWATER, Wis. (May 12, 2024) – The No. 11 nationally-ranked Denison University men's tennis team won its Sweet Sixteen matchup at the 2024 NCAA Division III Tournament as the Big Red defeated the No. 14-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater by a final score of 5-1.
It is the first Elite Eight appearance in program history for the Big Red, who improved to 21-4 overall this season.
Notable Results:
No. 11 Denison 5, No. 14 UW-Whitewater 1:
Doubles
- Milan Gonela and Colin Gramley defeated Tyler Nelson and Payton Adkisson 8-5 at No. 3 doubles.
- No. 10 regionally-ranked Jacob Patterson and Andy Mackler defeated Theo Billson and Drew Van Fossen 8-6 at No. 2 doubles.
- The No. 18 nationally-ranked pairing of Kael Shah and Ethan Green fell in a tiebreak, 8-7 (7-2), against No. 9 regionally-ranked Reuben Giorgio and Luke Vandonslear at No. 1 doubles.
Singles
- No. 34 nationally-ranked Green defeated Nelson 6-4, 6-0 at No. 3 singles to make it 3-1 Big Red.
- Ryan Patrick defeated Billson 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4 singles to make it 4-1.
- The final win came from No. 9 nationally-ranked Shah with a 7-5, 6-0 decision over Giorgio at No. 2 singles. It was Shah's second match in as many days dominating to win 6-0 in the second set.
Next Up: Denison will advance to the first NCAA Elite Eight (NCAA quarterfinals) appearance in program history on Tuesday, May 21, at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The 11th-ranked Big Red will take on the No. 2-ranked University of Chicago, which defeated No. 12 Washington University in St. Louis 5-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
