March 25, 2010
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Facing an Air Force squad that had won nine-straight matches, the UCF men's tennis team flew to a 6-1 victory Thursday afternoon at the UCF Tennis Complex. The Knights began the day by sweeping doubles competition, and then won five of six singles contests.
UCF (8-5) took victories at the Nos. 2-6 spots in singles action. Against Taylor Soster at No. 3, junior Blaze Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla.) rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 win. At No. 5, senior Johan Beigart (Vaxjo, Sweden) was too much for Vinni Lodolo and took a 6-0, 6-1 victory.
Freshman Mario Samson (Miami, Fla.) was victorious at the No. 6 position. He got past Alex Beaussart (6-2, 7-5). At No. 2, sophomore Claudio Romano (Valencia, Venezuela) handled Austin Francis, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0. Against Brett Rodgers at No. 4, freshman Nino Hasandedic (Munich, Germany) rallied for an 0-6, 7-5, 6-2 win.
"The final result doesn't really reflect how close the match was. I'm very proud of the way we fought through some close singles matches today," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said. "Our superb play in doubles continued and we did a better job of carrying that momentum into singles play today."
Air Force (10-3) posted its lone win at No. 1, where Lance Wilhelm topped senior Marc Rocafort (Barcelona, Spain).
At the top doubles spot, Rocafort and Schwartz improved to 10-3 this spring after posting an 8-4 triumph over Rodgers and Soster. UCF also got doubles wins from Beigart and sophomore Joe Delinks (Falmouth, Mass.) at No. 2, and senior Brock Sakey (Gulf Breeze, Fla.) and Eugene Dolgovykh (Palm Coast, Fla.) at No. 3.
The contest was the fourth tilt of a five-match homestand for the Knights. UCF will return to action Saturday, hosting DePaul at 11 a.m.
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UCF 6, Air Force 1
Singles Competition
1. Lance Wilhelm (AFA) def. Marc Rocafort (UCF) 7-6, 7-6
2. Claudio Romano (UCF) def. Austin Francis (AFA) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
3. Blaze Schwartz (UCF) def. Taylor Soster (AFA) 6-2, 6-0
4. Nino Hasandedic (UCF) def. Brett Rodgers (AFA) 0-6, 7-5, 6-2
5. Johan Beigart (UCF) def. Vinni Lodolo (AFA) 6-0, 6-1
6. Mario Samson (UCF) def. Alex Beaussart (AFA) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles Competition
1. Rocafort/Schwartz (UCF) def. Rodgers/Soster (AFA) 8-4
2. Beigart/Delinks (UCF) def. Francis/Wilhelm (AFA) 8-4
3. Sakey/Dolgovykh (UCF) def. Barnes/Beaussart (AFA) 8-6