Overtime

MIKO EALA CLAIMS BACK TO BACK WIN FOR PENN STATE MEN’S TENNIS

Penn State University men’s tennis saw Filipino tennister Miko Eala as one promising athlete after pulling off a 5-2 triumph, nailing the Big Ten road victory, on Sunday afternoon over the Purdue Boilermakers.

/ 15 April 2021

The 6-foot-1 brother of wunderkind Alex Eala continues to deliver victories for Penn State University after celebrating back-to-back triumphs in his individual matches over the weekend.

The recruit from the Philippines, bested Carson Haskins of Indiana, 6-2, 6-1, on Saturday, then prevailed Michal Wozniak, 6-2, 7-6 (6), in the second singles punch a crucial point at the Schwartz Tennis Center in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Nittany Lions copped their road win of the year in the 2021 Big Ten Intercollegiate Team Tennis Tournament which saw the team at the third spot in the East Division conference standings.

“I felt like we finished the weekend on a good note,” Nittany Lions’ head coach Jeff Zinn said in a statement on the university’s official website.

Eala stepped forward in place of teammate Christian Lakoseljac following an injury that took a 1-4 loss to Indiana last Saturday.

“Unfortunately, Christian was injured and got hurt against Indiana, so we kept him out today. I am proud of the guys for stepping up,” he averred.

Associate head coach Paul Tobin commended the 18-year-old’s notable performance after back-to-back breakthrough wins. 

“Despite Purdue’s record, they fight hard especially at home. Miko got down deep and clinched the win in a back and forth tiebreak,” Paul Tobin said in an article published on the school’s official website.

Eala now led the team with nine triumphs over the 14 games he played so far. 

Penn State will end its regular season with a two-game homestand facing Michigan on Friday, and Michigan State on Sunday.