March 23, 2005
ORLANDO - With the UCF men's tennis team recording victories in six of its last seven matches, the individual exploits of the Golden Knights have gone mostly unnoticed. Even with the squad's recent success, one number now moves into the forefront.
Seventy-two.
With a victory at the No. 4 position on Tuesday against 21st-ranked Tennessee, senior Antonio Sierra recorded the 72nd win of his career - a new school record. Sierra passes former teammate Johan Westin, who claimed 71 matches from 1998-2002.
"This is not an easy accomplishment," said UCF head coach Bobby Cashman. "To win in the fashion that Antonio has, against some of the strong competition that we have faced, is not an easy task."
The Juarez, Mexico native has won eight consecutive matches and has 10 total dual-match victories this spring. He has not lost since Feb. 25.
Sierra has been a member of some of the most successful teams in program history. In both 2003 and 2004, UCF has taken the Atlantic Sun Championship title and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
"The fact that he has been a leader and an important member of two teams that have made the NCAA Championship speaks more than the record," said Cashman. "He always puts the team ahead of himself and leads by example."
Sierra goes for singles victory number 73 when the Golden Knights host Air Force on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the UCF Tennis Complex