DETROIT -- The 25th-ranked Wayne State University men's tennis squad (18-3 overall, 8-0 GLIAC) concluded its regular season with a 6-1 home win against Northwood (10-8 overall, 5-3 GLIAC) on Wednesday.

This is the first time since 1981 that the Warrior men have gone undefeated in the conference.  Between 1982 and 2018, Ferris State (1982-94, 1999, 2015-18) and Northwood (1982, 1995-2014) have reigned as conference champions.

SENIOR DAY
Three seniors were celebrated at the final home match, including Griffin Mertz (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington), Taylor Vane (Southampton, England) and Nicholas Ang (Rochester, Mich.).

Since he started in the 2016-17 season, Mertz tallied an overall singles record of 53-25 and a doubles record of 47-29.  In just three seasons, he finished fifth in Most Career Singles Wins (53) and 13th in Most Doubles Wins (47).

Vane began his WSU career in 2015, finishing with an overall singles record of 54-48 and a doubles record of 64-42.  His 54 career wins ranks fourth in Green and Gold history, while his 64 doubles victories lands him in third.

With a primary focus on studies, Ang has still been a contributor to the team since 2015, recording 11 singles wins and eight doubles victories.

Redshirt juniors Derek Sammons (Coldwater, Mich.) and Jason Potter (Sterling Heights, Mich. / International Academy East) were also recognized at their final Wayne State matches.  Sammons concludes his time in Detroit tied-for-10th in Most Career Doubles Wins (49).

DOUBLES RESULTS
Sophomore Niklas Karcz (Bottrop, Germany) and junior Pierre Renaudie (Sathonay-Camp, France) were first off the courts at No. 2 doubles after nearly blanking David Reinauer and Hayden Drury, 6-1.  "No. 2 doubles attacked and played at the speed that we like to see them to play at," commented head coach Bryan Morrow.

At No. 1 doubles, the 26th-ranked duo of Mertz and Vane finished the season undefeated after notching a 6-3 victory over Kobus Sauerman and Pablo Salamanca.  "Griffin and Taylor completed a GLIAC sweep and had a nice dominant performance.  They played strong doubles as they always do," stated Morrow.

Sammons and freshman David Solar (Prague, Czech Republic) fell in a tiebreaker after initially leading in the match at No. 3 doubles against Ben Brandherm and Ivan Medvynskyi (7-6(8-6)).

SINGLES RESULTS
Vane was first off the courts after tallying a win against Brandherm at No. 3 singles (6-2, 6-0).  Morrow claims, "Taylor played lights out.  He was quick and had a great serving day."

At No. 1 singles, Karcz was next off the courts after notching a victory over Sauerman (6-4, 6-2).  The head coach commented, "Niklas took care of business, played aggressive, and kept his opponent very uncomfortable."

Renaudie was upended at No. 2 singles by Reinauer (7-5, 6-4).  "Pierre had a rough singles match," Morrow said.  "His opponent attacked and made the match challenging for him."

Freshman Max Rink (Wetzlar, Germany) clinched the win for the Warriors at No. 5 singles in a third set vs. Medvynskyi (7-5, 4-6, 6-3).  "Rink gutted out a nice win in three sets," commented Morrow.

Freshman Donovan Nguyen (Troy, Mich. / Utica) notched a victory at No. 6 singles versus Drury (6-3, 6-0).  "Donovan started a little shaky, but played amazing beginning in the middle of the first set.  He was hitting winners from the baseline and took it to his opponent," claims the head coach.

Mertz was last off the courts, winning his No. 4 singles match against Salamanca (6-3, 6-2).  Morrow stated, "Griffin's opponent was undefeated at No. 4 singles coming into this match.  Mertz had great volleys at the net and great overheads."

UP NEXT
The Warriors will compete in the 2019 GLIAC Tournament, beginning on April 26 in Midland, Mich.