April 16, 2005
DeLAND - The third-seeded UCF men's tennis team claimed a 4-3 victory over No. 2 Georgia State on Saturday to advance to the Atlantic Sun Men's Tennis Championship title match for the fifth consecutive season. The Golden Knights (13-8) will face top-seeded Troy for the league title on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.
The semifinal match was decided at the No. 1 singles spot, where junior Ener Gursoy outlasted Jaime Rodriguez (6-7, 7-5, ret.). Rodriguez won the first set, but Gursoy bounced back to claim the second stanza. Georgia State's top player was forced to retire due to cramping, giving Gursoy the match and the Golden Knights the win.
The Panthers (13-7) claimed the doubles point to open the match, but UCF took four of the six singles tilts to earn the win. At No. 3, senior Antonio Sierra got past Clarence Boyd, 6-3, 6-0. Sophomore Sebastian Delgado recorded a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Daniel Balog.
Against Martin Steigwardt at No. 2, senior Joel Allen posted a 6-4, 6-3 decision.
On Sunday, UCF will be looking for its third consecutive A-Sun title. The winner receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
The Golden Knights faced Troy earlier in the season, dropping a 4-3 match on the road on Feb. 18.
Singles
1. Ener Gursoy (UCF) def. Jaime Rodriguez (GSU) 6-7, 7-5, retired
2. Joel Allen (UCF) def. Martin Stiegwardt (GSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Antonio Sierra (UCF) def. Clarence Boyd (GSU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Anze Cevka (GSU) def. Sinan Sudas (UCF) 7-5, 4-6, 6-0
5. Sebastian Delgado (UCF) def. Daniel Balog (GSU) 6-1, 6-4
6. Frank Suro (GSU) def. Simon Jaeger (UCF) 6-0, 6-4
Doubles
1. Clarence Boyd/Anze Cevka (GSU) def. Joel Allen/Antonio Sierra (UCF) 8-6
2. Jaime Rodriguez/Matija Sulin (GSU) def. Sebastian Delgado/Ener Gursoy (UCF) 8-5
3. Martin Stiegwardt/Frank Suro (GSU) vs. Rhett Rosen/Simon Jaeger (UCF) DNF