MUNCIE, Ind. - The Western Michigan men's tennis team improved to 6-0 in the Mid-American Conference to clinch the No. 1 seed for the MAC Tournament and at least a share of the regular season title with a 5-2 win at Ball State University Saturday afternoon. 

While remaining undefeated in the conference with their second win of the season over Ball State, the Broncos have locked up the top seed for the MAC Tournament for the second consecutive season. WMU hosts the conference championship for the 12th time in program history, April 19-21. 

"Over the years we have had a great rivalry with Ball state and a lot of close matches, and we knew today would be no different," said head coach Dave Morin, who clinched at least a share of his 10th MAC regular season title at the helm of the Bronco program.

WMU went up 1-0 with wins at courts one and two in doubles. Kennosuke Nouchi and Jannik Opitz won 6-2 at the No. 2 spot to clinch the doubles point and improve their record to 14-2 on the year. 

In singles play, WMU went up 3-0 with wins at courts one and two from Opitz and Lenhard Haupt. The Cardinals got on the board with a win at court five, but Nouchi earned the match-clinching point at court four, coming back after dropping the first set to defeat Chris Adams 1-6, 6-0, 6-3.

"We got off to a great start in doubles to win the first point, but found ourselves coming from behind losing the first set in four of the singles matches," Morin commented. "Lenny and Jannik were the first off the court to put us up 3-0, and Kenny played a great second and third sets to give us the fourth point. We're excited to have a share of the regular season title, but we still have work to do as we get ready for a very good Toledo team on Friday."

Western Michigan 5, Ball State 2
 
Singles competition
1. Jannik Opitz (WMU) def. Marko Guzina (BSU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Lenhard Haupt (WMU) def. Nemanja Guzina (BSU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Matej Svjetlicic (WMU) def. Thibault De Negri (BSU) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6
4. Kennosuke Nouchi (WMU) def. Chris Adams (BSU) 1-6, 6-0, 6-3
5. Conner Andersen (BSU) def. Peter Kuszynski (WMU) 6-3, 6-3
6. Tom Carney (BSU) def. Nick Schnobel (WMU) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
 
Doubles competition
1. Peter Kuszynski/Jack Randall (WMU) def. Marko Guzina/Nemanja Guzina (BSU) 6-3
2. Kennosuke Nouchi/Jannik Opitz (WMU) def. Thibault De Negri/Tom Carney (BSU) 6-2
3. Chris Adams/Conner Andersen (BSU) vs. Lenhard Haupt/Nick Schnobel (WMU) 5-3, unfinished

Up Next
Western Michigan, now 15-8 overall, returns home to host the University of Toledo on Friday, April 12, seeking sole possession of the MAC regular season title with a win. The regular season finale and senior day is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at either Sorensen Courts or West Hills Athletic Club, weather pending. 

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @WMUMensTennis | FACEBOOK: @WmuBroncosMensTennis