INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The top-ranked Valdosta State men's tennis team finished the ITA Indoor National Championship with a 4-2 loss to No. 7 Indianapolis Sunday morning in the consolation bracket final, finishing sixth in the eight-team tournament.
 
The Blazers (5-2, 1-0 GSC) got off to another strong start, winning the doubles point for the seventh-straight match this season.  UIndy No. 17 duo of Erwan Momo Andre and Louis Picaud upset No. 17-ranked tandem of junior Takeshi Taco and junior Xaveam Van Wijk 6-3, but the Blazers responded with sophomore Jan Skerbatis and senior Christian Wedel, ranked No. 18 nationally, downing Pedro Franca and David Simeonov, 7-5.  Top duo of junior Rodrigo Carvalho and senior Luca Mack won 6-4 over Matthieu Derache and Tom Zeuch to claim the point.
 
In singles, the Greyhounds (6-1) won at No. 6 to even the match as Manuel Lanteri downed Skerbatis 6-3, 6-4, but No. 16 junior Boruch Skierkier won over No. 24 Derache 6-1, 6-0, for a 2-1 Blazer lead.  No. 2-ranked Tom Zeuch defeated Mack at the top spot 6-3, 6-3, to level the match at 2-2.  The home team took the momentum as Simeonov won 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) over Carvaho at No. 2.  UIndy would then clinched the match at No. 3 as Picaud upset No. 4 Taco 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).  Wedel, who is ranked No. 29, dropped the first set at No. 5 with Momo Andre, but won the second set 6-4 and were in the third set when the match was clinched.
 
VSU returns home to host Columbus State on Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. at the VSU Tennis Complex.  Columbus State currently is ranked No. 6 nationally and currently is competing in the third-place match of the championship against No. 4 Flagler.  No. 2 Barry downed No. 3 Saint Leo, 4-3, to claim the championship earlier on Sunday, while No. 5 West Florida defeated No. 8 Wayne State, 4-3, for seventh-place.