DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's tennis team hosted an Iowa Conference doubleheader at home hosting Central and Simpson on Saturday. The Duhawks were defeated by Central 9–0, but responded with an 8-1 win over Simpson, qualifying for the Iowa Conference Tournament for the first time since 2007.

 

• Central came out hot and snatched wins at all three doubles matches. Junior Jason Derby and sophomore Kevin Murphy kept it close at No. 1 doubles, but could not hold on, falling 8–5.
• No. 2 and 3 doubles both were defeated by scorelines of 8–3. The freshman pair of Sean Baldwin and Riley Michel represented the Duhawks at No. 2 doubles and the senior pair of Ulises Hernandez and Neil Kane played at No. 3 doubles.
• Derby was defeated at No. 1 singles 6–2, 6–2. The Cuba City, Wis. native's singles record dropped to below .500 at 6–7 for the first time since March 23 against Millikin. 
• Hernandez kept in pace with his opponent at No. 2 singles, but eventually fell 6–4, 6–4.
• At No. 3 singles, Murphy fell in straight sets for the second consecutive match 6–4, 6–1.
• Michel at No. 4 singles won his first set 7–6 (5), but was then pushed to a third set tie breaker by losing 6–3 in set two. In a closely contested third set tiebreaker, Michel came up short, 10–7.
• Baldwin held in strong at No. 5 singles, but eventually would fall in straights sets 6–4, 6–3.
• At No. 6 singles, Kane came out on the losing end of the match by a scoreline of 6–2, 6–2. 

• Shortly after their first match against Central, Loras returned to the courts to host Simpson.
• The Duhawks were firing on all cylinders in the doubles portion of the match taking wins at each doubles spot.
• No. 1 doubles had its fair share of excitement with Murphy and Derby representing Loras. They got off to a slow start and were on the brink of a loss, down 7–4. With no room for error, the duo battled their way back and forced a tiebreaker before winning 9–7.
• At No. 2 doubles, Michel and Baldwin made quick work of their opponents, winning in convincing fashion, 8–1.
• The No. 3 doubles match was another comeback fashion win for the Duhawks with Hernandez and Kane. Trailing 6–5, the pair went on a hot streak and won three of the remaining four sets to take the win at 8–6.
• Derby got back to his winning ways by taking the No. 1 singles match in straight sets, 6–2, 6–4. This win moves him to .500 on the year in singles at 7–7.
• Murphy won in straight sets at No. 3, 6–4, 6–1. With the win, Murphy improves to 9–4 in his first season with the Duhawks.
• Michel won his No. 4 singles match in dominating fashion, 6–1, 6–1. After this win, the Huntley Ill. native has a 9–7 singles record on the year. 
• In abbreviated games with Loras clinching the match already, Baldwin won 8–1 at No. 5 singles moving his singles record to 6–9 on the season.
• Kane, at No. 6 singles, followed suit with Baldwin's game format and came out victorious 8–6.