Feb. 22, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Despite a two-hour rain delay, the UCF men's tennis team pulled out a 4-3 win against Southern Miss in the Conference USA Shootout at the Hattiesburg Racquet Club. The Knights improved to 3-3 on the season, while the host Southern Miss dropped to 1-7.
"I really think our team came here determined to win and with a fighting attitude," said UCF head coach Bobby Cashman. "Everyone gave a solid effort and the consistent energy was crucial in the doubles matches."
UCF won the doubles point, jumping out to a 1-0 lead.
Senior Sinan Sudas (Adana, Turkey) and freshman Claudio Romano (Valencia, Venezuela) took an 8-5 decision at the No. 2 spot against Domagoj Anic and Jan Burmeister. The victory marked the second of the season for the duo at No. 2. Junior Brock Sakey (Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze) and sophomore Johan Beigart (Vaxjo, Sweden) clinched the Knights' first point with a close 9-8(2) victory at No. 1 against Andrew Poole and Markus Wessinghage.
In singles play, UCF's three wins came in straight sets.
Junior Tarek Ben Soltane (Tunis, Tunisia) earned the second point of the match with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 defeat over Strate Krstevski at No. 5. Ben Soltane is now 2-0 this season.
The Knights third win came at the hands of Sudas who prevailed 6-4, 7-5 at No. 2 against Burmeister.
Sakey clinched the match at No. 4, posting a 7-5, 6-2 victory against Diego Machuca.
With the win, UCF moved to 7-0 all-time in the league event, and 2-0 against Southern Miss.
The Knights return to the courts on Saturday for the second of three matches they will play in the league event. UCF faces UAB at 9 a.m. EST at the Hattiesburg Racquet Club.
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