Western Michigan Wins MAC Men's Tennis Crown

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Michael Calderone's three-set victory at second singles gave Western Michigan University its fourth consecutive Mid-American Conference title with a 4-3 decision over Toledo as the 2009 MAC Men's Tennis Championships came to a conclusion Saturday afternoon at the Village Glen Tennis Center.

Calderone defeated Toledo's Knot Likitkumchorn, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 as the Broncos (18-8) won the MAC's automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Men's Tennis Championships.

Western Michigan led 3-0 after winning the opening doubles point and scoring singles wins from Pablo Olivarez and Kazuya Komada. However, Toledo (18-11) won the next three matches to forge the 3-3 tie behind victories from Jayson Miller, Aleksander Elezovic and Jared Miller.

Play was moved indoors to the Village Glen Tennis Center after sustained winds in excess of 20 miles per hour were forecast for Saturday afternoon.

The MAC will announce the All-Tournament squad and MVP on Tuesday.

No. 1 Western Michigan 4, No. 2 Toledo 3
Doubles
1. Jared Miller/Knot Likitkumchorn (UT) led Michael Calderone/Kazuya Komada (WMU), 6-5 DNF
2. Zevad Montasser/Kevin Hayward (WMU) d. Sven Burus/Robbie McCallum (UT), 9-7
3. Pablo Olivarez/Casey Cullen (WMU) d. Aleksander Elezovic/Levi Bent-Lee (UT), 8-5
Order of finish: 3, 2, --
Singles
1. Jared Miller (UT) d. Kevin Hayward (WMU), 6-1, 6-4
2. Michael Calderone (WMU) d. Knot Likitkumchorn (UT), 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4
3. Kazuya Komada (WMU) d. Sven Burus (UT), 6-4, 7-6 (4)
4. Aleksander Elezovic (UT) d. Casey Cullen (WMU), 6-3, 6-3
5. Jayson Miller (UT) d. Zevad Montasser (WMU), 7-6 (7), 6-4
6. Pablo Olivarez (WMU) d. Robbie McCallum (UT), 6-4, 6-0
Order of finish: 6, 3, 5, 4, 1, 2