SAN ANTONIO — Southern Miss men’s tennis (7-7) secured a 4-2 road win over UIW (8-2) on Monday, the first match of their San Antonio trip. The Golden Eagles then lost to UTSA (3-10), 4-0, on Tuesday and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (12-2), 4-1, on Wednesday, according to match reports.
Southern Miss overcame an early deficit against UIW after dropping the doubles point. Courts two and three in doubles were claimed by UIW, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles responded with four singles wins to take control of the match.
Saheb Sodhi sparked the comeback at No. 2 singles, winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 over Emilio Vila. Eric Perkowski then defeated Marcel Miralles 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3. Olle Noltorp added a straight-set win at No. 4, 6-4, 6-4, over Augustin Salazar. Jay Temming secured the team victory at No. 6 singles with a 7-6, 6-3 win against Ian Uraga.
In Tuesday’s match against UTSA, the Roadrunners swept all three doubles courts and earned straight-set wins at No. 3, 4 and 5 singles to complete the 4-0 shutout. Southern Miss players Jose Murariu and Sodhi had matches left unfinished on top courts.
The Golden Eagles finished their trip Wednesday against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Islanders took the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, but Noltorp and Matei Varbanciu scored a 7-5 victory at No. 3 doubles. Sodhi provided Southern Miss’ only completed singles point, beating Omar Suarez 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2. Texas A&M Corpus Christi responded with wins at No. 1, 3, and 5 singles, securing the team victory. Matches at No. 4 and No. 6 remained unfinished.
Saheb Sodhi was a standout during the week, winning singles matches against UIW and Texas A&M Corpus Christi and helping lead Southern Miss to its only team win of the trip. Noltorp also contributed with a singles win and a doubles victory. The team returns to Sun Belt Conference play on Sunday, March 22, facing South Alabama in Mobile.
