Ivic Stars for UIW Men

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Leonard Ivic led the University of the Incarnate Word men’s tennis team this weekend with a strong performance at the Islander Open Invitational.  In addition, a number of UIW players competed at the Trinity Quad.

Leonard Ivic (Split, Croatia/Economic Administration HS) led the way for the Cardinals, advancing all the way to the semi-finals at the Islander Open Invitational. Ivic beat Pablo Colvee from UT-Arlington, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round.  Then, Ivic took down Eliot Johnstone from UT-Pan American, 4-6, 6-1, 10-6, Paul Cook from A&M-Corpus Chirsti, 3-6, 6-2, 10-7, before finally loingt in the semis to Ricardo Mayagoitia from A&M-Corpus Christi, 7-5, 6-1. 

In the consolation bracket, Josip Smoljan (Citluk, Bosnia and Herzegovinia/Srednja Skola) and Tucker Brown (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) each went an impressive 3-0 to make it all the way to the final. The consolation final did not take place because of inclement weather.

In the doubles tournament, Ivic and Smoljan reached the semi-final.  In the first round, they defeated Mark Ginting and Jake Rother from UTSA, 8-4.  In the quarter-final, they got past Miguel Alvarez-Hevia and Eliot Johnstone with no problem, by a score of 8-1.  For the semis, Carlos Arbiza and Daniel Echeverry from UT-Arlington, were too much to handle for the Cardinals, as they lost 8-4.

The Cardinals only managed a pair of wins at the Trinity Quad, both in consolation action.

The Cardinals continue their season next Friday, as they drive across town to compete in the St. Mary’s Quad, hosted by the Rattlers.