The Keiser Men's Tennis squad concluded competition at the ITA National Tournament this afternoon with singles play by Arthur Bonnaud. Francesco Oliva and Clement Raymond wrapped up doubles competition late last night to conclude their play in the ITA tournament.
 
Bonnaud claimed fifth place in the ITA Small College National Championship with a three hour three-set upset win over No. 26 ranked Luke Whalen of Westmont. The match indicated a lengthy finish from the beginning as the first set took nearly an hour and a half with each player trading shots that would extend to 20 shot rallies. Whalen would strike first through as he broke Bonnaud at 5-5 to take the 6-5 advantage. Whalen held serve to win the first set 7-5. Bonnaud found his rhythm in the second set, breezing to a 6-0 victory to force a deciding third set. The final set would go right back to where the first set left off with both players trading shots. The two competitors would hold serve early but it would be Bonnaud who would finally grab the break of serve to take the 3-2 lead, a lead that he would not relinquish. At 5-3, Bonnaud saw opportunities but Whalen put together a strong service hold to trim the deficit to 5-4. Bonnaud would hold serve, coming up with big serves and equally big shots in the biggest moment to take the third set, 6-4, and the overall match. Bonnaud's fifth place finish is the highest ever ITA Small College National Championship finish by a Seahawk in program history.
 
In doubles play last night, Oliva and Raymond fell 6-3, 6-3 to Northwestern Ohio's Baciu and Popa, finishing 8^th in the doubles ITA Small College National Championship. This is also the highest a Keiser doubles team has ever finished at the event.
 
"I'm extremely proud of the boys and the effort they have put in this week," stated head coach Daniel Finn. "The conditions were tough and the boys did nothing less than battle. In doubles they nearly knocked off a Top 10 opponent twice. As far as Arthur, what can I say, the boy is the ultimate competitor. He won back-to-back three hour, three-set matches in which he had to battle from behind to beat quality opponents. This tournament was a strong showing for our program and the standard we are setting moving forward. I am really elicited for what the spring will bring with these young men."
 
Keiser Results
Doubles Results (Last night)

• Baciu/Popa (UNOH) def. Oliva/Raymond (KU), 6-3, 6-3

 
Singles Results

• Bonnaud (KU) def. Whalen (West), 5-7, 6-0, 6-4