Antons and Gruter Do It Again

July 28, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Peter Antons and Santiago Gruter tallied two more wins on Monday to cap off back-to-back ITA Collegiate Summer Circuit Regional doubles championships. The IU tandem has carried over their success during the 2007-08 season, going 22-9 as doubles partners, into the ITA summer events.

"Last year we played together nearly every match, so we know each other really well," said Gruter. "Pete is playing great right now and I have a lot of trust in him as a partner."

Antons and Gruter faced a familiar foe in the title match as former teammate Dara McLoughlin stood on the other side of the net. McLoughlin, who played for Indiana from 2004-08, was teamed with All-Pac-10 performer, Kalim Stewart from California. Antons and Gruter jumped ahead to a 5-2 lead before eventually riding that momentum to an 8-4 victory.

"We connected well this weekend," said Antons. "We worked together and covered the court."

Their success did not end with doubles play, however. Both Hoosiers won three singles contests to reach the quarterfinals. Also representing IU in the men's singles draw was Lachlan Ferguson. The Australia native made a run all the way to the championship match, finishing as runner-up. Following an opening round defeat, JJ Bolock rattled off four consecutive wins to reach the consolation finals.

For the women, Stephanie Heller and Lindsey Stuckey donned the Cream and Crimson. After picking up two W's apiece, both Hoosiers went into a third-set super tiebreaker in their third round bouts. Stuckey outlasted Ohio State's Kelsey Havliand, 2-6, 6-2, 1-0(5) before eventually falling in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Heller bounced back from a first-set loss, winning the second stanza, 6-2 over Christine Johnston from Kentucky. Johnston was able to win the match, however, taking the super tiebreaker, 10-7.

"The weekend was a great success," said IU Women's Tennis Associate Head Coach and Tournament Director Ramiro Azcui. "The weather cooperated and the level of competition was very good. We look forward to hosting the ITA Nationals in two weeks."

Men's Championship Results