WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State shook off a slow start to win three straight singles matches in a 5-2 victory over Cowley County Community College on Thursday afternoon at the MSU Tennis Center.

Angel Palacios/Ben Westwick kicked off the match with a 6-2 win against Alejandro Orihuela/Carlos Castillo at No. 1 doubles. After Javier Gonzalez/Jack Clements eked out a 7-5 win over Abhiram Venkatachalam/Alexandre Crepy, the duo of Alex Martinez Roca/Alberto Diaz secured the doubles point for the Mustangs with a thrilling 7-6 victory.

"Angel Palacios/Ben Westwick closed off well," MSU Texas head coach Scott Linn said. "Martinez Roca and Diaz finished strong at number two doubles."

The two teams traded punches early in singles play. Abhiram Venkatachalam made it 2-0 in favor of the Mustangs with a straight set win at No. 4 before the Tigers came out victorious in the next two matches, including a win at No. 1 against 5th ranked Angel Palacios to even the match at 2-2.

MSU Texas then ripped off three straight wins to secure the victory with Alberto Diaz, Brice Bradshaw, and Jean Muniz all posting victories. Diaz dropped the first set at No. 2 before rallying to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 while Bradshaw and Muniz earned straight set wins.

"Diaz finished strong at No. 2 singles," Linn said. Abhiram (Venkatachalam) was solid from start to finish. (Brice) Bradshaw implemented exactly what we work on in practice and (Jean) Muniz stayed tough mentally to control the momentum of his match."

The Mustangs have won two straight matches and stand at 4-2 on the season.  

Box Score
No. 15 Midwestern State (4-2) def. Cowley County Community College

Doubles
No. 1 – Angel Palacios/Ben Westwick def. Alejandro Orihuela/Carlos Castillo 6-3
No. 2 – Alex Martinez Roca/Alberto Diaz def. Hayden Brauer/Samuel Grman 7-6
No. 3 – Javier Gonzalez/Jack Clements def. Abhiram Venkatachlama/Alexandre Crepy 7-5

Singles
No. 1 – Jack Clements def. No. 5 Angel Palacios 6-4, 7-6
No. 2 – Albert Diaz def. Alejandro Orihuela 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
No. 3 – Jabier Gonzalez def. Alexandre Crepy 6-0. 6-4
No. 4 – Abhiram Venkatachalam def. Samuel Grman 6-4, 6-1
No. 5 – Jean Muniz def. Carlos Castillo 6-4, 7-6
No. 6 – Brice Bradshaw def. Jan Duben 6-3, 6-0
 
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (4, 3, 1, 2, 6, 5)
 
UP NEXT
MSU Texas heads to Norman, Oklahoma on Friday for a neutral site battle against Oklahoma Baptist. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.