|
5/8/2009 - MEN'S TENNIS
ETSU Falls to No. 5 Tennessee in NCAA Regional Play
|
Print
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Despite giving No. 5-ranked Tennessee all they wanted and more the No. 63-ranked ETSU men’s tennis team couldn’t overcome a late Volunteer rally falling to its in-state rival 4-0, Friday afternoon during first-round play of the NCAA Tournament at the Goodfriend Varsity Tennis Courts in Knoxville.
After falling just short in doubles ETSU could not maintain its one-set lead at No. 6 and No. 3 singles, as the home-courted Vols stormed back taking the final remaining sets for the win.
As played opened ETSU started with a bang as junior Daniel Isaza (Medellin, Columbia) and freshman Robin Akser (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) gave the Bucs an early lead as they breezed past Matt Brewer and Bryan Swartz 8-2, at No. 3 doubles.
ETSU, needing only one more win to secure the point, battled point-for-point at the No. 1 position. Senior teammates Enrique Olivares (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) and Alex Ahlgren (Tyerso, Sweden) jumped out to a quick 3-1, lead over the Vols John-Patrick Smith and Davey Sandgren. Just when it looked like the Bucs would maintain control the No. 3-ranked Tennessee duo rallied back for three straight games and a 4-3 lead midway through the match. After a brief ETSU comeback in game seven, the Vols wouldn’t look back taking control of the contest for a late 8-5 win.
With the doubles contest then split a 1-1, all eyes turned to Court 2 as sophomores Grega Teraz (Mojstrana, Slovenia) and Charles Bottoni (Bois Guillaume, France) grinned out a close match against No. 42-ranked Boris Conkic and Matteo Fago. With Tennessee up 6-5, the Vols would go on to break ETSU’s serve, serving out the match for the doubles point and an 8-5 win.
