April 10, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On a sunny 85 degree day at the UCF Tennis Complex, Marquette defeated the UCF men's tennis team, 5-2. The Knights (10-10) now turn their attention to hosting the Conference USA Men's Tennis Championship which begins next Friday in Orlando.
"We are looking to put this match behind us quickly as we gear up for the conference tournament," said UCF head coach Bobby Cashman. "It hurt not having Johan (Beigart) in the lineup today, but we look to have him back for the tournament. Marquette played well and did a good job fighting back. We have some time now to get healthy and focused for the tournament at home."
Collecting the two singles wins for the Knights was sophomore Blaze Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla.) and freshman Joe Delinks (Falmouth, Mass.).
Playing at the No. 3 position, Schwartz knocked off Niko Boulieris, 6-2, 7-5, to move his dual-match record to 15-5. Schwartz has now won four of his last five tilts.
Competing at the fourth spot for the first time in his young career, Delinks took down Stephen Shao, 6-4, 6-3. The triumph gives Delinks six wins on the season.
Beginning next Friday, UCF will host the C-USA Championship. The field of eight includes No. 28 Tulsa, No. 40 Rice, No. 72 SMU, East Carolina, Southern Miss, UAB, Memphis and UCF. The first of four quarterfinal matches on Friday begins at 9 a.m.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Marquette 5, UCF 2
Singles competition
1. Trent Hagan (MARQ) def. Marc Rocafort (UCF) 6-3, 6-3,
2. Dusan Medan (MARQ) def. Tarek Ben Soltane (UCF) 6-1, 6-2
3. Blaze Schwartz (UCF) def. Niko Boulieris (MARQ) 6-2, 7-5
4. Joe Delinks (UCF) def. Stephen Shao (MARQ) 6-4, 6-3
5. Mark Rutherford (MARQ) def. Eugene Dolgovykh (UCF) 7-5, 6-3
6. Jonathan Schwerin (MARQ) def. Danny Colon (UCF) 7-6 (4-0), 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Trent Hagan/Niko Boulieris (MARQ) def. Tarek Ben Soltane/Joe Delinks (UCF) 8-4
2. Dusan Medan/Stephen Shao (MARQ) def. Marc Rocafort/Eugene Dolgovykh (UCF) 8-5
3. Jonathan Schwerin/Mark Rutherford (MARQ) def. Blaze Schwartz/Danny Colon (UCF) 9-8 (4-0)