Results
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Lucas Dages' performance last weekend at the Old Gold & Black Classic precisely highlights the senior's capabilities on the court. After going 4-0 in singles during round-robin play, he earned the Black division title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over fellow Boilermaker Matt Bouggy. Dages also picked up the tournament's sole doubles championship with teammate Renan Hanayama. The pair convincingly beat Khmiadashvili and Woldmoe of Butler 6-2 in the final.
However, this is the first time since his run during the opening weekend of the fall season that Dages provided the team with winning play. Back in September, he went 2-1 in singles at the Valparaiso Fall Invitational, which included a consolation title; in-between that date and last Friday, though, Dages posted a 1-9 record. Head coach Pawel Gajdzik was certainly pleased Sunday to see one of his seniors make a needed turn - especially as he prepares the entire team for Big Ten play in the spring.
"Lucas was excellent," Gajdzik said. "He consistently hit great shots verse a variety of opponents - shots that I know he's capable of making every weekend. We'll need him to lead the team into spring play with the momentum he's built in both singles and doubles."
Hanayama was equally involved in earning last weekend's doubles title; the junior also finished third in the Old Gold vision of singles with a 7-6, 6-2 win over Bulter's Adelaku. Carlos Macias finished second in the same division; he started out 3-0, but lost his final two matches - the championship 4-6, 0-6 to fellow Bulldog, Khmiadashvili.
IUPUI was the third school in attendance, but fared poorly against the Boilermakers and Bulldogs. The Jaguars finished 4-12 in singles and 1-7 in doubles.
The men's tennis team opens spring play in late January. It was scheduled to compete in the Big Ten Men's Indoor Championships this weekend, but withdrew due to injury.
For complete results from the Old Gold & Black Classic, click the link at the top of this article.
