WICHITA FALLS – ANISH SRINIKETH provided the clinching point to break a 3-3 tie, and the No. 32 St. Edward's men's tennis team completed the upset victory against 18th-ranked Midwestern State, 4-3, Friday afternoon at the MSU Tennis Center.

The Hilltoppers (12-5) snapped an eight-match losing streak to the Mustangs (10-3). It marked St. Edward's first win over Midwestern State since Feb. 4, 2012.

The Hilltoppers jumped out to an early advantage by earning the doubles point with two of three wins in the opening session.

ZAC ROBINSON and NICO MERCADO started the contest with a 4-3 victory at the second doubles spot, while CHASE BARTLETT and ANISH SRINIKETH clinched the point with a 6-3 win over the nation's fifth-ranked doubles pairing of Alberto Diaz and Ben Westwick.

The Mustangs quickly evened up the contest as singles play began with a win at the third flight.

Bartlett and LUIS DIAZ both went the distance against their opponents to collect points. Diaz made it 2-1 with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 decision against Dillon Pineda at the second position. Bartlett toppled 63rd-ranked Alberto Diaz 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 at the fourth spot to put the 'Toppers up 3-2.

After Midwestern State earned a three-set win at the sixth flight, Sriniketh finished off the match with an upset of the No. 2-ranked singles player, Angel Palacios.

Palacios won the opening frame 7-6. However, Sriniketh rallied and claimed a 7-5 victory in the second panel to even the tilt. The freshman from Katy then posted a 6-4 triumph in the third set to clinch the contest. It marked Sriniketh's 17th overall singles win this season.

The Hilltoppers will travel to Lawton, Okla., on Saturday to face 13th-ranked Cameron. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Stretch-Henry Tennis Complex.




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