April 17, 2005
DeLAND - The third-seeded UCF men's tennis team won its third consecutive Atlantic Sun Championship title on Sunday, defeating No. 1 Troy, 4-2, at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center. The Golden Knights (14-8), who were playing in their fifth straight title match, receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
"This tournament was extra special," said UCF head coach Bobby Cashman, who has guided the program to all three of its conference crowns. "We worked so hard. Since we came in with the third seed, we had more to prove."
After taking the doubles point from the Trojans (8-9), UCF won at No. 2, 3 and 5 on the singles side. Senior Joel Allen clinched the contest for the Golden Knights, topping Daniel Quiceno, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 2.
At No. 3, senior Antonio Sierra rallied to defeat Emir Basic (3-6, 6-2, 6-3). Sophomore Sebastian Delgado needed only two sets to get past Robert Van Swelm at No. 5, 6-4, 7-5.
The Golden Knights have won 12 of their last 14 matches after starting the 2005 campaign with a 2-6 mark. With a victory in the A-Sun title match, UCF avenged a Feb. 18 loss at Troy.
"People thought we were down this year because we lost a little bit early on," said Cashman. "We showed everybody that we are just as good as we have been."
UCF opened the match by winning two of three doubles tilts. At No. 2, Delgado and junior Ener Gursoy defeated Basic and Marko Despot. Seniors Rhett Rosen and Simon Jaeger posted a 9-7 victory at No. 3 over Van Swelm and Artur Miller.
Four of Cashman's five seniors - Jaeger, Rosen, Paul Ramy and Sierra - were playing in their fourth league championship match.
The group, along with Allen, will close out their collegiate careers in NCAA Championships play. First and second round matches begin on May 13.
"The team chemistry is so good," added Cashman. "The five seniors get along so well. I am really happy for them."
Singles
1. Irving Morales (Troy) def. Ener Gursoy (UCF) 6-4, 6-2
2. Joel Allen (UCF) def. Daniel Quiceno (Troy) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
3. Antonio Sierra (UCF) def. Emir Basic (Troy) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. Marko Despot (Troy) def. Sinan Sudas (UCF) 7-5, 0-6, 6-1
5. Sebastian Delgado (UCF) def. Robert Van Swelm (Troy) 6-4, 7-5
6. Artur Miller (Troy) vs. Simon Jaeger (UCF) DNF
Doubles
1. Irving Morales/Daniel Quiceno (Troy) def. Joel Allen/Antonio Sierra (UCF) 8-6
2. Sebastian Delgado/Ener Gursoy (UCF) def. Emir Basic/Marko Despot (Troy) 8-6
3. Rhett Rosen/Simon Jaeger (UCF) def. Robert Van Swelm/Artur Miller (Troy) 9-7