Chapman Men Reach Final in NCAA Tennis

Troy Turnbull won both of his matches Tuesday to lead Chapman College to a 5-4 upset of No. 1-seeded UC Davis in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II men’s team tennis tournament at Cal State Northridge.

Turnbull, a four-time All-American, trailed in the third set of his singles match, 3-0, but rallied to defeat Aleco Preovolos, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. It was the 100th singles victory of Turnbull’s career.

In doubles, with the match score tied, 4-4, Turnbull and Paul Wekesa defeated Preovolos and Elliot Dun, 7-6, 4-6, 6-1.

“Turnbull’s the best money player we’ve ever had,” Chapman Coach Mike Edles said. “When you want somebody in the clutch on your side, he’s the guy.”

The victory sends unseeded Chapman, the defending national champion, into today’s championship final at 1:30 p.m. against No. 2-seeded Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which defeated Hampton Institute of Virginia, 5-1, in the other semifinal.

Chapman and Cal Poly (SLO) split their previous two meetings this season. Both were decided by 6-3 scores.

“It’s always a battle when we play them, and it’s going to be the same this time,” Edles said.

Rollins College of Florida and Stephen F. Austin of Texas will play in the consolation final at 8 a.m.. The third-place match between Davis and Hampton Institute will be played at 10:30 a.m.

Wekesa and Olivier Amerlinck also had singles victories for Chapman Tuesday.

In doubles, John Kline and Brad Parker of Chapman defeated Benjie Aguirre and Cort Schultz, 6-3, 6-4. Paul Cross and Duncan Love of Davis beat Amerlinck and Bis Houssels, 6-2, 6-2, in the other match.

Turnbull, Wekesa, Amerlinck and Kline will participate in the individual singles championships, which will be played Thursday through Sunday at Northridge.