KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In his second collegiate event, Notre Dame men’s tennis freshman Yu Zhang was named the Most-Outstanding Player of the Vredevelt Invitational. He went 3-0 in the top flight of the singles bracket earning him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
After a little adversity with a rain delay and change of venue indoors, play began Saturday morning with doubles. Bilsey and Zhang dropped their opening match 6-4 to Peter Kuszynski and Anton Arzhankin of Western Michigan, but the duo bounced back to defeat Michael Karr and Borja Miralles of Butler.
In singles, play resumed outdoors where Zhang defeated Tom Brennan of Butler 6-4, 6-2. Soon after, Bilsey wrapped up a 7-5, 6-3 win over Mikael Erler of Cleveland State.
Sunday started with the final round of doubles. The Irish pairing played the twosome of Tom Brennan and Michael Dickson of Butler with the Bulldog team taking the victory 6-3. Immediately after, singles play started with Bilsey and Zhang taking on Arjun Honnappa and Peter Kuszynski respectively, both from Western Michigan. Both matches would go the distance with Zhang winning 6-2, 4-6, 1-0(6) before Bilsey would fall 6-4, 5-7, 1-0(4).
The final round of singles was back outdoors at the Sorenson Tennis Courts. Zhang would play Honnappa as both players put their undefeated singles records on the line. Zhang won in straights sets, 6-3, 7-5, and secured his spot on the All-Tournament Tea along with the title of Most Outstanding Player.
Bilsey finished his weekend with a close 7-6, 7-6 loss to Brogan Pierce of Western Michigan.
The Irish will now have 11 days before their next competition – ITA Regionals hosted at Michigan State University.
All-Tournament Team
Yu Zhang, Notre Dame*** Most Outstanding Player
Anton Arzhankin, Western Michigan
Brogan Pierce, Western Michigan
Saturday Results
1st & 2nd Rd Doubles
Kuszynski/Arzhankin(WMU) def. Bilsey/Zhang(ND) 6-4
Bilsey/Zhang(ND) def. Karr/Miralles(Butler) 6-2
1st Rd. Singles
Bilsey(ND) def. Erler(Cleveland St.)
Zhang(ND) def. Brennan(Butler)
Sunday Results
3rd Rd. Doubles
Brennan/Dickson(Butler) def. Bilsey/Zhang(ND) 6-3
2nd Rd. Singles
Honnappa(WMU) def. Bilsey(ND) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0(4)
Zhang(ND) def. Kuszynski(WMU) 6-2, 4-6, 1-0(6)
3rd Rd. Singles
Zhang(ND) def. Honnappa(WMU) 6-3, 7-5
Pierce(WMU) def. Bilsey(ND) 7-6, 7-6