The second-seeded Blue Demons (12-12) advanced to Sunday's title match after a convincing 4-2 victory over No. 3 Xavier (12-9) on Saturday at the Cayce Fitness and Tennis Center.
It will be a repeat of last year's title match as No. 1 St. John's (17-5) advanced with a 4-1 semifinal victory over No. 4 Butler.
Sunday's championship will be streamed live on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi on FloSports. First serve is at 9 a.m. (ET).
In the 2021 championship showdown, DePaul and St. John's were tied 3-3 when Luuk Wassenaar overcame quadruple match point in a stunning comeback to deliver the Blue Demons' first BIG EAST men's tennis title in program history.
On Saturday, coach Matt Brothers' team started out in a 1-0 hole after losing the doubles point.
And in a replay of Friday's quarterfinal victory over Creighton, DePaul stormed back in the singles round, winning four matches in straight sets and losing only at the No. 3 position.
Luuk Wassenaar began the comeback topping Charlie Temming 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4. Marino Jakic gave the "Band of Brothers" a 2-1 lead defeating Brett Winters 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2.
Xavier evened the match with the win at No. 3, but Tripp Tuff put his team in front 3-2 with a 6-1, 6-4 decision over Caden Kammerer.
At No. 5, Matteo Iaquinto came through with the clincher with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Marco Pennelli. It was the second consecutive BIG EAST tournament match the freshman from Palermo, Italy has notched the winning point.
"The guys are determined to repeat and are battling for every match," Brothers said. "I'm really proud of our fight and composure today."
BIG EAST Semifinals
DePaul 4, Xavier 2
April 23, 2022
(Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center)
Singles
1. Vito Tonejc (DPU) leading Diego Nava (XU), 6-2, 6-6 – unfinished
2. Marino Jakic (DPU) def. Brett Winters (XU), 6-3, 6-1
3. Ryan Cahill (XU) def. Leon Huck (DPU), 6-2, 6-3
4. Luuk Wassenaar (DPU) def. Charlie Temming (XU), 6-1, 6-1
5. Matteo Iaquinto (DPU) def. Marco Pennelli (XU), 6-3, 6-4
6. Tripp Tuff (DPU) def. Caden Kammerer (XU), 6-2, 6-4
Doubles
1. Ryan Cahill/Diego Nava (XU) def. Marino Jakic/Vito Tonejc (DPU), 6-3
2. Campbell Nakayama/Brett Winters (XU) def. Jona Gitschel/Leon Huck (DPU), 6-3
3. Tripp Tuff/Luuk Wassenaar (DPU) def. Marco Pennelli/Charlie Temming (XU), 6-1
Match Notes:
Xavier 12-9
DePaul 12-12
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,2,3,6,5)
'Band of Brothers' Advances to BIG EAST Title Match - DePaul Blue Demons
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