KOHLER, Wis. – Ben Busalacchi (So.-Muskego, Wis.) rallied from a set down to win his match at Number 4 singles and provide the deciding win as the Lakeland University men's tennis team edged Marian University 5-4 Saturday morning at Sports Core.

Busalacchi's win helped the Muskies earn their first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference dual victory of the season. Lakeland improved to 2-10 overall and 1-5 in conference heading into its regular season finale Sunday against Concordia University Chicago. The win also put the Muskies in position where they can clinch a spot in the NACC Tournament with a win over the Cougars Sunday.

Busalacchi lost his first set to Nathan Hunter by a 7-5 score but evened their match with a 6-4 win in the second set. He then came through with another tough win in the third set, a 6-4 victory in the final match to conclude.

Lakeland won three matches in singles and also won two of three matches in doubles. Jacob Larson (Sr.-Wauwatosa, Wis.) also earned a win at No. 2 singles, handling T.J. Draves 6-0, 6-1, and Alessandro Bianchi (Jr.-Venice, Italy) continued to play well at No. 6 singles with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Gary Mishler.

Both also earned wins in doubles play. Larson teamed with Nick Larson (So.-Sheboygan, Wis.) at No. 1 doubles for an 8-5 win over Kyle Leisses and Derek Wills. Bianchi also paired with Luke Roe (Fr.-Plymouth, Wis.) at No. 3 doubles for another close 8-5 win over Draves and Mishler.

The dual was filled with competitive and close matches, including Roe's match at No. 5 singles, where he fell to Daunte Fortner 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Evan Vorpahl (So.-Sheboygan, Wis.) also nearly pushed his match at No. 3 singles to a third set before dropping a 6-2, 7-5 decision to Wills.

Lakeland University 5, Marian University 4
04/23/22 at Kohler, Wis. (Sports Core)

Singles competition

1. Leisses, Kyle (MARIANMT) def. Larson, Nick (LUMT) 6-3, 6-4

2. Larson, Jacob (LUMT) def. Draves, TJ (MARIANMT) 6-0, 6-1

3. Wills, Derek (MARIANMT) def. Vorpahl, Evan (LUMT) 6-2, 7-5

4. Busalacchi, Ben (LUMT) def. Hunter, Nathan (MARIANMT) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

5. Fortner, Daunte (MARIANMT) def. Roe, Luke (LUMT) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

6. Bianchi, Alessandro (LUMT) def. Mishler, Gary (MARIANMT) 6-0, 6-2

 

Doubles competition

1. Larson, Nick/Larson, Jacob (LUMT) def. Leisses, Kyle/Wills, Derek (MARIANMT) 8-5

2. Hunter, Nathan/Fortner, Daunte (MARIANMT) def. Vorpahl, Evan/Busalacchi, Ben (LUMT) 8-4

3. Roe, Luke/Bianchi, Alessandro (LUMT) def. Draves, TJ/Mishler, Gary (MARIANMT) 8-5