Feb. 23, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (www.ucfathletics.com) - In its second match at the Conference USA Shootout, the UCF men's tennis team suffered a 4-3 defeat against UAB on Saturday at the Hattiesburg Racquet Club. The loss serves as UCF's first all-time at the league event, dropping the Knights to 3-4 on the season, with UAB improving to 3-1.
The Blazers took the first point of the morning in doubles play, winning at all three spots. Senior Sinan Sudas (Adana, Turkey) and freshman Claudio Romano (Valencia, Venezuela) played the closest match at No. 2 against Tyrone Ewels and Slawomir Szeremeta, but ultimately lost, 8-5.
"Our doubles play was unacceptable and our energy just wasn't there," said UCF head coach Bobby Cashman. "I thought we fought back a little harder in singles, but tomorrow is a new day and I expect a better performance."
In singles play, UCF attempted to rally back.
After losing at courts six and four, the Knights rattled off consecutive wins, starting at No. 1. Sophomore Johan Beigart (Vaxjo, Sweden) knocked off Hans Spangenberg, 6-2, 6-3, for UCF's first point.
At No. 5, junior Tarek Ben Soltane (Tunis, Tunisia) notched the second point with a three-set win, 6-2, 0-6, 6-2, against Brian Ly. Ben Soltane is 3-0 this spring, with all three wins coming at No. 5.
The Knights rally fell just short as Szeremeta clinched the match for the Blazers, defeating Sudas, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2, on court two.
Junior Brock Sakey (Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze) closed out the contest, posting a 6-7(1), 6-1, 7-6(2) victory at No. 3 against Ewels.
UCF closes out the C-USA Shootout on Sunday against East Carolina. First serve at the Hattiesburg Racquet Club is set for 10 a.m. EST.
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