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More Conference Tournaments: South Florida Too Good For Tulsa, Charleston Beats UNCW, UT Arlington Rules The Sunbelt, & More

by | Apr 25, 2016 | Blog | 1 comment

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A good crowd of around 100 gathered in Memphis for the finals of the American Conference Championship where South Florida was looking to win the title for the third consecutive year. South Florida and Tulsa met just nine days prior with USF winning 7-0 though Tulsa sat its top singles player Or Ram-Harel so this one figured to be much closer.

The top seeded Bulls got off to a good start at No. 1 doubles while Tulsa went up an early break at No. 2.  USF’s Vadym Kalyuzhnyy and Sasha Gozun broke on the no-ad point when Gozun cleaned it up the net to make it 4-2

Kalyuzhnyy held from 40-15 to make it 5-2 and then the Bulls would break at love to win it 6-2

Tulsa’s Dylan McCloskey and Dominic Bechard broke Dominic Cotrone to start the match and then McCloskey held for 2-0. Humorous note: Cotrone’s first serve of the match drilled his partner Peter Bertran right in the back of the head. I thought I had the clip but for some reason it didn’t take.

USF’s Peter Bertran would hold for 1-2 and then he and Cotrone would break the Bechard serve to make it 2-2. Cotrone held for 3-2 and then McCloskey held on the no-ad point for 3-3. Tulsa broke Bertran to go up 4-3 but USF would break Bechard again to make it 4-4.

Meanwhile over at No. 3 it stayed on serve until USF’s Robert Cid and Ignacio Gonzalez-Muniz broke the Carlos Bautista serve to go up 4-3. Cid would hold on the no-ad point for 5-3 and then USF would go up 30-40 on the Majed Kilani serve. Gonzalez-Muniz would hit a sweet return winner while falling down to win it though there was some confusion for a few seconds because Tulsa made a late out call. The chair told Tulsa the call came too late and the ball was good regardless so South Florida had the doubles point and the early 1-0 lead.


After the doubles point Tulsa head coach Vince Westbrook got vocal and really challenged his guys to step it up in singles and they did just that early on. Tulsa went breaks on four courts but Juan Matias Gonzalez wouldn’t be able to close out his set after leading 5-3 at No. 2. Gozun held for 4-5 and then broke Matias Gonzalez at love to make it 5-5.

Gozun would hold quickly for 6-5 and then Matias Gonzalez would double fault on the deciding point to drop the set 7-5.


So with Gozun getting the set on two that meant each team picked up three first sets. Tulsa’s Or-Ram Harel went up an early break on Roberto Cid at No. 1 and took the set 6-4, Tulsa’s Majed Kilani won the set at No. 3 over Dominic Cotrone in a tiebreak, and Francois Kellerman took a 6-3 opening set at No. 5 over Ignacio Gonzalez-Muniz.

The aforementioned Sasha Gozun would be the first one to finish after he picked up an early break in the second set and would then serve it out to defeat Juan Matias Gonzalez 7-5, 6-3.

Less than a few minutes later the lead would be extended to 3-0 when Vadym Kaluzhnyy closed out Dylan McCloskey at No. 6. Kalyuzhnyy went up a quick break in the first set and then broke again to take the set 6-2. Kalyuzhnyy served for the match up 5-3 in the second but McCloskey would break from 30-40 to stay in it. McCloskey held from 40-15 to even it at 5-5 but Kalyuzhnyy held from 40-15 as well to go up 6-5. McCloskey fell behind 30-40 on his 5-6 service game but he would take the next point to bring up the deciding point. Kalyuzhnyy would get the break to win the match when McCloskey put a backhand into the net after a somewhat length rally.

South Florida clearly had the match in its grips because Roberto Cid was about to get a split at No. 1 plus Peter Bertran was nearing the finish line at No. 4.

Bertran, who transferred to USF from Georgia, went up an early break in the first set but Carlos Bautista would break back to even it at 3-3. Bertran would break again and would then serve out the opening set on this point to take it 6-4.

There were a few break of serve in the second set but Bertran would get the last one when he broke Bautista from 30-40 to go up 6-5.

Bertran would go up 30-15 with a massive forehand winner down the line but a double fault on the next point would make it 30-all. Bertran would go up 40-30 after a Bautista forehand error and then he’d clinch the Championship on this point.

Match Highlights
Post-Match Interview w Matt Hill Trophy Presentation

You can watch the full replay of this match on the American Network here.

#17 South Florida 4, #23 Tulsa 0
Apr 24, 2016 at Memphis, Tenn. (MUS)
Singles Competition
1. #46 Or Ram-Harel (TULSA) vs. #4 Roberto Cid (USF) 6-4, 2-5, unf.
2. Sasha Gozun (USF) def. Juan Matias Gonzalez (TULSA) 7-5, 6-3
3. Majed Kilani (TULSA) vs. #48 Dominic Cotrone (USF) 7-6(3), 3-2, unf.
4. Peter Bertran (USF) def. Carlos Bautista (TULSA) 6-4, 7-5
5. Francois Kellerman (TULSA) vs. Ignacio Gonzalez Muniz (USF) 6-3, 5-6, unf.
6. Vadym Kalyuzhnyy (USF) def. Dylan McCloskey (TULSA) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles Competition
1. #34 Vadym Kalyuzhnyy/Sasha Gozun (USF) def. Matthew Kirby/Okkie Kellerman (TULSA) 6-2
2. Dominic Cotrone/Peter Bertran (USF) vs. Dylan McCloskey/Dominic Bechard (TULSA) 4-4, unf
3. Roberto Cid/Ignacio Gonzalez Muniz (USF) def. Majed Kilani/Carlos Bautista (TULSA) 6-3
Match Notes:
Tulsa 17-13; National ranking #23
USF Men’s Tennis 20-8; National ranking #17 
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,6,4) 
T-2:20
Post-Match Quotes from USF’s recap
“There wasn’t a doubt that once singles came out everyone was ready to go, us and them, Said head coach Matt Hill. “We knew it was going to be a war all the way through and that’s what it was.
“I couldn’t be more proud, there is a lot of adversity that comes with winning championships and we’ve handled it well, said Hill. “We are just really excited for today and excited for NCAA’s coming up.
“We have the 10th toughest schedule in the country, so to be that successful from the first position, he’s been incredible this year, said Hill.
“It’s crazy, I didn’t expect any of this when I came to college, it’s a great feeling knowing that since my freshman year we’ve been able to do well in conference play, said Cid. “It’s a huge accomplishment and hopefully these guys continue to keep it up next year.

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The College of Charleston was playing in the finals for the Colonial Championship for the third year in a row but it finally got over the hump by defeating the top seed UNC Wilmington 4-3.

Charleston dropped the doubles point but rallied to win four matches in singles with Juan Estevarena (Mississippi State transfer) providing the clincher at No. 1 with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Santtu Leskinen. Here is a video clip of match point – note Leskinen trying to break his racket and then starting to hobble afterwards.

Charleston’s last conference title came in 2012 when it won the Southern Conference before leaving for the Colonial the following year.

#2 College of Charleston 4, #1 UNCW 3
April 24, 2016 | Jimmy Powell Tennis Center | Elon, N.C.
Singles Competition
1. Juan Estevarena (COFC) def. #120 Santtu Leskinen (UNCW) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. C. Van der Burgh (UNCW) def. Rodrigo Encinas (COFC) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2
3. Charlie Ghriskey (COFC) def. Agustin Savarino (UNCW) 6-2, 6-2
4. Zack Lewis (COFC) def. Aviv Ben Shabat (UNCW) 6-2, 6-2
5. Andres Torres (UNCW) def. Vasily Kichigin (COFC) 6-4, 6-4
6. Garrett Gordon (COFC) def. Josh Hublitz (UNCW) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles Competition
1. Juan Estevarena/Rodrigo Encinas (COFC) def. C. Van der Burgh/Aviv Ben Shabat (UNCW) 6-4
2. Santtu Leskinen/Taylor Cramer (UNCW) def. Josh Record/Vasily Kichigin (COFC) 6-3
3. Agustin Savarino/Josh Hublitz (UNCW) def. Charlie Ghriskey/Zack Lewis (COFC) 7-6 (7-2)
Match Notes
Charleston 19-6
UNCW 12-9
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,5,3,6,2,1)
2016 CAA Men’s Tennis Finals
Post-Match Quotes from Charleston’s recap
“I am extremely proud, and excited for our guys. Head coach Jay Bruner said. “They fought just like they have all season. They continued to get better and better as the season went on and they earned this win today against a very good [UNCW] team.
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The University of Texas at Arlington set a new-all time wins record and won it’s first Sun Belt Conference Title with a 4-1 win over a short-handed South Alabama.

South Alabama grabbed the early lead when it won the deciding match at No. 1 doubles in a tiebreak but UTA would come roaring back in singles. The Mavericks picked up straight set wins at 2, 3, 5, and 6 with junior Mario Muniesa clinching the championship at No. 3 with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Olivier Gingras.

UTA’s last appearance at the NCAAs came back in 2006 when it won the Southland Conference.

USA’s Tim Srkala (10-11 dual-match record at 1 and 2) was able to play doubles but he couldn’t go in singles (was seen in a boot after doubles) and Pierre Noyon (8-8 dual-match record) also couldn’t go as well. 

UT Arlington Mavericks 4, South Alabama Jaguars 1
Apr 24, 2016 at New Orleans, La. (City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center) 
Singles competition
1. Tuki Jacobs (USA) vs. Guanarteme Nuez (UTA) 5-7, 6-3, 3-2, unfinished
2. Jhonathan Gonzalez (UTA) def. Juan Troglia (USA) 6-1, 7-5
3. Mario Muniesa (UTA) def. Olivier Gingras (USA) 6-4, 7-5
4. Gerhard Gruindelingh (USA) vs. Daniel Armengol (UTA) 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 2-1, unfinished
5. Carlos Arbiza (UTA) def. Dallas Teague (USA) 6-4, 6-3
6. Mauricio Del Rio (UTA) def. Lucas Gonzalez (USA) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Olivier Gingras/Gerhard Gruindelingh (USA) def. Daniel Armengol/J Gonzalez (UTA) 7-6 (9-7)
2. Carlos Arbiza/Mauricio Del Rio (UTA) def. Tim Srkala/Dallas Teague (USA) 6-2
3. Tuki Jacobs/Juan Troglia (USA) def. Mario Muniesa/Guanarteme Nuez (UTA) 6-4
Match Notes
UT Arlington 18-10
South Alabama 15-12
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,5,2,3)
2016 Men’s Tennis Championship
#2 South Alabama vs. #5 UT Arlington
Official: Dale Williamson T-3:26 A-276
Post-Match Quotes from UTA’s recap
“I was so happy for the kids,” UT Arlington coach Diego Benitez said. “They worked so hard from Day 1. Being able to win this title is just an amazing memory. I am so proud of every single player. They have worked so hard on and off the court.”
“These kids are going to be in the history books forever,” Benitez said. “It is just an amazing feeling. They will be able to go back in their elder years and see this season. It was a united team effort and potentially one of the best teams in UT Arlington history.”
Junior Mario Muniesa, the match winner, was quick to point out it was not just the student-athletes on the court who deserved credit.
“Thank you to all of the coaches,” Muniesa said. “They were one of the most important parts of this big win. They have been pushing us and believing in us. They also deserve the credit. It is not just about nine guys on our team, it is about our coaches too.”

“I just decided to go for a big serve and he missed on the return,” Muniesa said. “I was extremely happy. We were all celebrating and it was just ecstasy.”
Post-Match Quotes from USA’s recap
“It was a great effort, especially with the cards we were dealt,” USA head coach Nick Brochu said. “We tried to win the championship without our No. 2 and No. 4, but that’s not an excuse.  Everybody stepped up. We had our No. 7 and 8 step up and play great tennis, and throughout the tournament, everybody stepped up. I’m really proud of those guys. We had a long, tough year and had some great results. To make it to the final this year was great.
“UT Arlington is really tough. They beat Louisiana-Lafayette in the first round and then upset the No. 1 seed Georgia State yesterday. They were tough and it went all the way down to the wire.”
“When it gets this close, it’s tough to swallow,” Brochu said. “I know those guys wanted to win today. I think it was a great accomplishment to make it to the final. I’m very proud of what they did today and this season. I look at the season as a good season; this is not a disappointment.”

“I’m really proud of my seniors,” Brochu added. “The three seniors gave so much to this program. They did so much and they mean so much to us, so we’re going to miss them.”
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Rice won its first Conference USA Championship since 2010 with a tough 4-2 win over Old Dominion in front of over 500 fans in Houston. Rice rolled over ODU in doubles winning 6-0 at No. 2 and 6-1 at No. 3 and then the teams would split first sets in singles.

ODU struck first with Adam Moundir winning at No. 1 and then Michael Weindl put the Monarchs ahead 2-1 with a win at No. 3. Rice evened it up at 2-2 when Emanuel Llamas won at No. 6 and Jake Hansen put the Owls ahead for good with a win at No. 4

David Warren would provide the clincher with a come from behind 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Zvonimir Podvinski at No. 5.

#26 Rice 4, #45 Old Dominion University 2
4/24/2016 at Houston, Tx (George R. Brown Tennis Center) 
Singles competition
1. Adam Moundir (ODU) def. Jamie Malik (RICE) 7-5, 6-1
2. Tommy Bennett (RICE) vs. Aziz Kijametovic (ODU) 6-2, 5-6, unfinished
3. Michael Weindl (ODU) def. Adam Gustafsson (RICE) 6-2, 6-4
4. Jake Hansen (RICE) def. Javier Jover Maestre (ODU) 6-0, 6-4
5. David Warren (RICE) def. Zvonimir Podvinski (ODU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Emanuel Llamas (RICE) def. Jacob Nicolussi (ODU) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #30 Tommy Bennett/David Warren (RICE) vs. #59 A Kijametovic/A Moundir (ODU) 4-1, unf
2. Adam Gustafsson/Jamie Malik (RICE) def. Jacob Nicolussi/Michael Weindl (ODU) 6-0
3. Jake Hansen/Emanuel Llamas (RICE) def. Darragh Glavin/Theophile Lanthiez (ODU) 6-1
Match Notes
Old Dominion University 19-5; National ranking #45
Rice 23-7; National ranking #26
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (1,3,6,4,5)
2016 Conference USA Men’s Championship

T-2:25 A-537

Other Conference Tournament Results:

East Tennessee State won its 10th consecutive conference championship, and second straight SOCON, with a 4-0 win over Furman in the finals of the Southern Conference. ETSU won all three doubles match with a simultaneous finish at No. 1 and No. 3 then the Bucs took five of six first sets in singles.

Diego Nunez made it 2-0 with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 and then Ismael Merino made it 3-0 with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 6. Rogerios Ribeiro would clinch the championship at No. 2 with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Cameron Green.

#1 East Tennessee State 4, #3 Furman 0
April 24, 2016 at Chattanooga, TN (Champions Club)
Singles competition
1. #76 David Biosca (ETSU) vs. Adam Steryous (FUR) 6-4, 4-6, unfinished
2. Rogerio Ribeiro (ETSU) def. Cameron Green (FUR) 6-4, 6-4
3. Diego Nunez (ETSU) def. Matt Browne (FUR) 6-4, 6-4
4. Robert Herrera (ETSU) vs. Ben Horst (FUR) 6-3, 5-7, 1-0, unfinished
5. Sebastian Yllera (ETSU) vs. Josh Pistorius (FUR) 4-6, 6-3, unfinished
6. Ismael Merino (ETSU) def. Alex Steryous (FUR) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #57 David Biosca/Rogerio Ribeiro (ETSU) def. Matt Browne/Ben Horst (FUR) 6-4
2. Diego Nunez/Robert Herrera (ETSU) def. Alex Steryous/Cameron Green (FUR) 6-2
3. Sebastian Yllera/Ismael Merino (ETSU) def. Josh Pistorius/Adam Steryous (FUR) 6-4
Match Notes
ETSU 18-5; National ranking #55
Furman 10-16
Order of finish: Singles (3,6,2)
Post-Match Quotes
“It is an amazing feeling to get to 10 in a row, ETSU Head Coach Yaser Zaatini said. “10 is a big number when talking about consecutive championships. To be able to accomplish this with this group of seniors is pretty amazing. I am thankful to our administration, past players and teams who started the streak and also supporting staff, especially Ricky Rojas. It is obvious this does not happen overnight and this one feels as good as every other. I am excited for the kids and future of ETSU.

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Lamar won its first ever Southland Conference Championship with a 4-1 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Jeandre Hoogenboezem clinched the title with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win at No. 5

Lamar University 4, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 0
April 23, 2016 Schlief Tennis Complex Nacogdoches, Texas
Singles
1. Michael Feucht (LU) vs. Kevin Bettendroffer (AMCC), 1-6, 6-3, 4-3 Unf.
2. Nikita Lis (LU) def. Ricardo Mayagoitia (AMCC), 6-4, 6-2
3. Benny Schweizer (LU) def. Javier Pujol (AMCC), 6-3, 6-3
4. Sebastian Santibanez (LU) def. Guillaume Rauseo (AMCC), 6-7 (5-7), 3-1, Unf.
5. Jeandre Hoogenboezem (LU) def. Paul Cook (AMCC), 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
6. Juuso Laitinen (LU) def. Carlos Pedrosa (AMCC), 6-4, 7-6
Doubles
1. Bettendroffer/Bedel (AMCC) def. Feucht/Schweizer (LU), 6-2 
2. Rauseo/Cook (AMCC) def. Hoogenboezem/Lis (LU), 5-4, Unf. 
3. Mayagoita/Pujol (AMCC) def. Laitinen/Santibanez (LU), 6-2
Match Notes
2016 Southland Conference Championships Men’s Finals

Post-Match Quotes:

“It’s almost hard to put into words what I’m feeling right now,” said head coach Scott Shankles. “The guys have worked so hard this year, and to see their hard work pay off is such a great feeling. I’m just so happy for them and our fans.”
“You have to take your hats off to A&M-Corpus Christi,” said Shankles. “They played lights out in doubles and really brought the energy today. I was very impressed with how they played. We didn’t have any answers. I don’t think there is anything we could have done differently. They were just playing that well, but we took the break to settle down and get focused on singles.”

“We knew we could control their energy if we got out to good starts in singles,” said Shankles. “That’s all it takes, and we were able to do that. Slowly, we were able to take over the momentum. We sustained that momentum until the end.”
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Tennessee Tech earned its first bid to the NCAAs since 2007 by defeating Eastern Kentucky 4-3 in the finals of the Ohio Valley Conference Championship. According to the recap/box score EKU won at No. 2 singles by default after splitting sets so I’d be interested to hear what the story was on that one. Marcos Bernardes broke the 3-3 tie by defeating Diogo Soares 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the deciding match at No. 5 singles.

Tennessee Tech 4, Eastern Kentucky 3
Apr 24, 2016 at Nashville, Tenn.
Singles Competition 
1. Mena, Eduardo (TTU) def. Ramon van Flymen (EKU) 6-1, 6-1 
2. Alex Alvaro (EKU) def. Arovin, Alex (TTU) 0-6, 6-2, 99-0
3. Esteban, Alberto (TTU) def. Guillem Sanchis (EKU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 
4. Nicolas, Guille (TTU) def. Sebastian Mueller (EKU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Bernardes, Marcos (TTU) def. Diogo Soares (EKU) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 
6. Florian Graskamp (EKU) def. Alfonso, Jorge (TTU) 6-4, 7-5
Doubles Competition
1. Alex Alvaro/Sebastian Mueller (EKU) def. Arovin, Alex/Esteban, Alberto (TTU) 6-2
2. Ramon van Flymen/Diogo Soares (EKU) def. Mena, Eduardo/Bernardes, Marcos (TTU) 6-2 3. Alfonso, Jorge/Nicolas, Guille (TTU) vs. Guillem Sanchis/Diego Asis (EKU) 4-3, unfinished
Match Notes:
Doubles finish: 1, 2
Singles finish: 1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5

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North Florida won its first-ever Atlantic Sun Championship with a 4-0 win over the No. 4 seed and host USC-Upstate. Sahil Deshmukh provider the clincher by defeating Ignacio Garrido 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 5

#2 North Florida 4, #4 USC Upstate 0
Apr 24, 2015 at Spartanburg, S.C. (USC Upstate Tennis Complex)
Singles competition
1. Jack Findel-Hawkins (UNF) vs. Ramon Simonetti (UPST) 3-6, 6-4, 2-0 DNF
2. Lasse Muscheites (UNF) vs. Ankush Arora (UPST) 6-4, 6-5 DNF
3. Yannick Zuern (UNF) def. Jamie Yates (UPST) 6-3, 6-3
4. Lenhard Haupt (UPST) vs. Julian Bradley (UNF) 6-4, 5-4 DNF
5. Sahil Deshmukh (UNF) def. Ignacio Garrido (UPST) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
6. Jonathan Deautriell (UNF) def. Raj Dharni (UPST) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Ramon Simonetti/Ankush Arora (UPST) def. Jack Findel-Hawkins/Yannick Zuern (UNF) 6-4
2. Lasse Muscheites/Zach Goldberg (UNF) def. Jamie Yates/Raj Dharni (UPST) 6-2
3. Julian Bradley/Sahil Deshmukh (UNF) def. Ignacio Garrido/Matt Bennion (UPST) 6-4
Match Notes:
No. 2 North Florida 11-11
No. 4 USC Upstate
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,3,5)

Post-Match Quotes:

“We are excited to be to get this championship under our belt and now play with freedom towards the NCAA Championship,” said head coach Mark Finnegan. “More importantly, this means so much to the program because over the last five years we have had so many great teams, but unfortunately not be at full health for the championship. This year we were closest we could be to full heatlh and we saved our best and we finished well.
“I think it is an amazing achievement from the guys. We focused on what we call a real team all semester long and we’ve had our ups and downs with being a real team,” said added Finnegan. “Today we did a great job and this weekend with being a real team and ultimately, real teams win championships.”
“There are too many people to thank, but Nick Morrow is a great supervisor and Randy Jenks has just done so much for UNF tennis with the Jacksonville community,” said Finnegan. “To all of the alumni, this one is for them because without them and the foundation laid at UNF, this championship would not be possible.”
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Bryant won its third straight Northeast Conference Championship with a 4-0 shutout over the St. Francis University Red Flash (love the nickname). Michael Plutt came back from 3-0 down in the second set to clinch the championship with a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 4.

Bryant 4, Saint Francis U 0
04/24/16 at West Windsor, NJ (Mercer County Tennis Center) 
Singles competition
1. VOGT, Max (BRY) vs. GERVAIS, Washi (SFU) 4-6, 4-3, unfinished
2. WELSH, Oliver (BRY) vs. FOO-KUNE, Alec Dylan (SFU) 4-6, 5-3, unfinished
3. LORENZ, Luke (BRY) def. TICO, Rodrigo (SFU) 6-2, 6-0
4. PLUTT, Michael (BRY) def. SUNTAR, Jan Vit (SFU) 6-4, 6-3
5. JAKUBOWSKI, Artur (BRY) vs. AVUSKI, Plamen (SFU) 6-2, 5-6, unfinished
6. ORTIZ-GARCIA, Jorge (BRY) def. VAN DER HEIJDEN, R. (SFU) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. GERVAIS, Washi/FOO-KUNE, Alec Dylan (SFU) def. PLUTT, M/LAMART, Nick (BRY) 6-4
2. VOGT, Max/LORENZ, Luke (BRY) def. TICO, Rodrigo/VAN DER HEIJDEN, R. (SFU) 6-4
3. ORTIZ-GARCIA, Jorge/KLIGER, Josh (BRY) def. AVUSKI, P/SUNTAR, Jan Vit (SFU) 6-1
Match Notes
2016 NEC Men’s Tennis Championships – Championship – Match #12
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South Carolina State won its eight MEAC Championship in a row with a 4-0 win over Florida A&M. FAMU won the regular season meeting 4-3 but this one wasn’t close at all with Martin Figura clinching the title with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1.

South Carolina State 4, Florida A&M 0
Apr 23, 2016 at Norfolk, VA (Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center) 
Singles competition
1. FIGURA,Martin (SCSUM) def. OKUNGBOWA,Courage (FAMUM) 6-2, 6-1
2. YANCHENKO,Vladyslav (SCSUM) def. SMALL,Karlyn (FAMUM) 6-3, 6-0
3. WAITMAN, C. Agustin (FAMUM) vs. VITEK,Jakub (SCSUM) 7-6, 2-1, unfinished
4. ESPINOZA,Walner (FAMUM) vs. BACO,Stanislav (SCSUM) 6-4, 5-2, unfinished
5. STUPAR,Aleksander (SCSUM) def. EVANS,Jalen (FAMUM) 6-4, 6-2
6. SKOROMNYY,Illya (FAMUM) vs. DIAZ,Edgar (SCSUM) 6-4, 2-0, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. VITEK,Jakub/FIGURA,Martin (SCSUM) def. WAITMAN, C. Agustin/ESPINOZA,Walner (FAMUM) 7-6 (7-5)
2. YANCHENKO,Vladyslav/GILMUTDINOV,Salih (SCSUM) def. OKUNGBOWA,Courage/SKOROMNYY,Illya (FAMUM) 6-3
3. EVANS,Jalen/SMALL,Karlyn (FAMUM) def. BACO,Stanislav/DIAZ,Edgar (SCSUM) 6-1
Match Notes
South Carolina State 12-8
Florida A&M 9-12
2016 MEAC Men’s Tennis Championship
Post-Match Quotes
“We’ve battled so many injuries this year,” South Carolina State Head Coach Hardeep Judge said. “Everybody stepped up all year long. We played FAMU and it was a tough match in Tallahasse earlier in the year. We worked on a lot of things we needed to work on and I think that was the difference.”

1 Comment

  1. 181
    181 on Thu March 19, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    The season of upsets in 2016 has trickled down into the smaller conferences as well. College of Charleston? UT Arlington? Nobody expected that. And now Drake is falling off the wagon in the MVC