NEW ALBANY, Ohio – The Otterbein men's tennis team earned a 4-3 victory over Indiana University East on Thursday afternoon, using a strong start in doubles and key wins in singles play.

Otterbein secured the doubles point with victories at No. 2 and No. 3. Seniors Halen Hamstead and Max Fickas led the way with a 6-2 win, while junior Neil Reddy and sophomore Sanjan Shanker followed with a 6-3 decision.

In singles, the Cardinals picked up three wins to clinch the match. Junior Nikita Kitaev and Reddy each dominated their courts with matching 6-0, 6-0 sweeps at No. 4 and No. 5.

The deciding point came at the top of the lineup, where Shanker battled back for a three-set win at No. 1. After dropping the first set, he responded to take the second before closing it out in a 10-7 super tiebreak.

Fickas fell 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2, while junior Jake Chilcote dropped a 6-1, 6-2 decision at No. 3. At No. 6, Hamstead fell 6-4, 6-3.

Otterbein returns to action on Wednesday, April 8 at 4 p.m., traveling to Mount Union.