Wofford 4, Gardner-Webb 3
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Wofford men's tennis team defeated Gardner- Webb in a hard fought 4-3 match on Wednesday afternoon. The win improves the Terriers record to 3-3 on the season while the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs fall to 2-5.
The Terriers swept the doubles matches to take an early 1-0 advantage. Alan Donald and Paul Bartholomy teamed up to defeat Evgeny Slesarev and Rafael Altmayer 8-4 in number one doubles. Stuart Robertson and Tom Wood cruised to an 8-1 victory in number two doubles over Andrew Veeder and Jeremie Tardif. Tinus Van Wyk and Drew Superstein closed out the doubles sweep with an 8-3 victory at number three singles over Matthew Parker and Roman Piftor.
In singles competition both teams won three matches. Gardner-Webb achieved victories at number one, number three and number four singles.
The Terriers achieved a hard fought victory at number two singles. Stuart Robertson was able to come back after a first set loss to A. Sunblad-Knutsson to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Drew Superstein won his number five match over Roman Piftor by a score of 6-1, 7-6. The second set went into a back and forth tie break which Superstein was able to win 13-11. In the final match of the day Michael Schecter clinched the match for the Terriers at number six singles. Schecter beat Jeremie Tardif by a score of 7-6, 6-2.
After the match Wofford Head Coach Rod Ray said "Today's win represents a good team effort. We got off to a good start and played with a lot of self confidence in doubles. Gardner Webb then showed a lot fight by coming out strong in the beginning of the singles. It was cold and windy today and I am proud of how we fought hard in terrible conditions. The guys showed good toughness and I am proud of their effort".
The Terriers will be back in action on February 21 when the take on the Troy University Trojans at 12:00 at the Reeves Tennis Center on the Wofford College Campus.
Samford 4, Jacksonville State 3
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. --- The Samford University men's tennis team extended its winning streak to four-consecutive matches Wednesday as the Bulldogs rallied for a 4-3 come-from-behind victory against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at the JSU Tennis Courts.
In the win, Samford (4-1) lost the doubles point, but then received key singles victories from Zac Dunkle, Oliver Reynolds, Carl Abalos and Adam Witcher to record the 4-3 triumph. The Bulldogs improved to 1-0 on the road this season after compiling a 3-1 home mark to start the 2010 campaign.
With the defeat, Jacksonville State (0-3) suffered its second straight 4-3 loss in just two days. On Tuesday, the Gamecocks traveled to Macon, Ga., and fell short in a non-conference match against Mercer.
Jacksonville State won the doubles point Wednesday with victories on courts No. 2 and No. 3. Samford's lone win in doubles play was an 8-3 triumph by Abalos and Reynolds at the No. 1 position. With the victory, the Bulldogs' tandem improved to 1-1 this season.
In singles play, Samford's Dunkle cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 win on court No. 1, while Reynolds posted a 7-5, 6-2 victory against Jacksonville State's Chris Duke in the No. 3 singles matchup.
The Bulldogs' remaining two singles wins occurred on courts No. 5 and No. 6. In the No. 5 singles contest, Abalos breezed to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Gustavo Holz, while Witcher notched a win on court No. 6 as Felipe Watanabe was forced to retire due to an injury in the second set. So far this season, Abalos, Dunkle and Reynolds all boast the team's best records in singles play with identical 3-1 marks.
The Samford University men's tennis team will next be in action at 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 26 as the Bulldogs compete in their second straight road match against the Belmont Bruins in Nashville, Tenn.