May 14, 2005
GAINESVILLE - The UCF men's tennis team fell short in its upset bid against fourth-seeded Florida in opening round play at the NCAA Championship, dropping a 4-0 match to the host Gators on Saturday morning at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The Golden Knights, who were playing in the postseason for the third consecutive year, conclude the 2005 season with a 14-9 mark.
After claiming the doubles point to open the contest, Florida (21-5) took three singles tilts to win the match. The Gators, who entered NCAA play with a No. 3 national ranking, advance to the second round where they will play the Georgia Tech-Vanderbilt winner on Sunday.
Vladimir Obradovic, one of the four nationally ranked singles players on the Florida roster, clinched the victory with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over senior Antonio Sierra at No. 3.
At No. 4, Nestor Briceno topped freshman Sinan Sudas, 7-5, 6-1. Ryan Sherry earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 6 over senior Simon Jaeger.
The teams were playing in the postseason for the third consecutive year. UCF was looking for its first NCAA victory.
The Golden Knights played well in doubles action, but Florida won matches at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots to claim the first point of the contest.
Briceno and Tell defeated Jaeger and senior Rhett Rosen, 8-5, at No. 3. Against junior Ener Gursoy and sophomore Sebastian Delgado, the Gators' Chris Brandi and Jordan Dohlberg picked up an 8-4 win.
UCF was playing in the NCAA Championship for the third time in school history after winning its third straight Atlantic Sun title in April. Next season, the Golden Knights will compete in Conference USA.
Singles
1. Hamid Mirzadeh (UF) vs. Joel Allen (UCF) DNF
2. Greg Ouellete (UF) vs. Ener Gursoy (UCF) DNF
3. Vladimir Obradovic (UF) def. Antonio Sierra (UCF) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
4. Nestor Briceno (UF) def. Sinan Sudas (UCF) 7-5, 6-1
5. Chris Brandi (UF) vs. Sebastian Delgado (UCF) DNF
6. Ryan Sherry (UF) def. Simon Jaeger (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Hamid Mirzadeh/Greg Ouellette (UF) vs. Antonio Sierra/Joel Allen (UCF) DNF
2. Chris Brandi/Jordan Dohlberg (UF) def. Ener Gursoy/Sebastian Delgado (UCF) 8-4
3. Nestor Briceno/Stefan Tell (UF) def. Simon Jaeger/Rhett Rosen (UCF) 8-5