Men’s Tennis Edges Butler, 4-3, For Third Straight Victory – Creighton University Athletics

By: Patrick Davis

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Tied at 3-3, Creighton men’s tennis sophomore Yuma Daijima captured a three-set victory on the No. 5 singles court to help the Bluejays take down Butler, 4-3, on Friday afternoon in Indianapolis, Ind.
 
The win improves the Bluejays record to 10-6 on the year and 2-2 in league play, while Butler fell to 6-13 overall and 2-1 in BIG EAST action. 
 
In a rematch of the 2023 BIG EAST Semifinals where the Bulldogs claimed a 4-1 victory, Creighton overcame an early deficit to capture the 4-3 victory. 
 
Butler opened the match with wins on the top two doubles courts to take a 1-0 lead in the match. Sophomore’s Kirtan Patel and Daijima also claimed a 6-4 win at the No. 3 doubles position. 
 
Creighton would rally in singles play, capturing the victory with wins at the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 5 singles positions. 
 
Junior Alejandro Gandini picked up a 7-5, 3-0 win on the No. 4 singles court as his opponent was forced to retire. Leveled at 1-1, Patel captured a 6-3, 6-4 win at the No. 2 singles position to give Creighton a 2-1 lead. 
 
Butler would respond with wins at the No. 3 and No. 6 single spots to regain a 3-2 advantage. 
 
Creighton, however, would not give up as senior Matthew Lanahan claimed a 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) win on the No. 1 singles court to tie the match at 3-3, before Daijima clinched the overall dual with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 triumph at the No. 5 singles position. 
 
“Like we’ve been saying all season long, we’re first and foremost looking for improvement in our players,” said head coach Gerhard Posch. “You can see it here and there and the players are working very hard to make it permanent.”  
 
Creighton returns to the court on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for a match against Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio.