April 10, 2010
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing in front of a raucous crowd at the USF Tennis Complex, the UCF men's tennis team had a strong performance to pick up a 4-3 victory Saturday over cross-state rival USF. The Knights (10-7) won all three doubles matches to start the day, and then took three singles contests to secure the win.
UCF clinched the victory after sophomore Claudio Romano (Valencia, Venezuela) rallied to top Romain Deridder, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 4. The match was the final road tilt of the season for the Knights.
"We picked up right where we left off last week. Another dominating doubles performance was key to getting the momentum our way, and then we did a great job of fighting through a boisterous home crowd," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said. "Rivalry wins are always special and we're going to roll that confidence on to senior day and then to the (Conference USA) tournament."
At No. 2, senior Brock Sakey (Gulf Breeze, Fla.) improved to 13-3 this spring with a 7-6, 6-2 triumph over Jamal Adderley. The Knights' other singles win came at No. 5 where senior Johan Beigart (Vaxjo, Sweden) handled Mark Oljaca (7-5, 6-1).
UCF's play during doubles competition was imprssive, especially at the No. 1 spot. Senior Marc Rocafort (Barcelona, Spain) joined junior Blaze Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla.) for an 8-2 win over Adderley and Thomas Estrada. Beigart and sophomore Joe Delinks (Falmouth, Mass.) were victorious at No. 2, and Romano and Sakey won at No. 3.
UCF will conclude its regular season Tuesday, hosting Embry-Riddle at 2 p.m. at the UCF Tennis Complex. Admission to the match is free.
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.
UCF 4, USF 3
Singles Competition
1. Wael Kilani (USF) def. Marc Rocafort (UCF) 6-3, 6-0
2. Brock Sakey (UCF) def. Jamal Adderley (USF) 7-6, 6-2
3. Peter Frank (USF) def. Blaze Schwartz (UCF) 6-4, 6-1
4. Claudio Romano (UCF) def. Romain Deridder (USF) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Johan Beigart (UCF) def. Mark Oljaca (USF) 7-5, 6-1
6. Yannick Yoshizawa (USF) def. Nino Hasandedic (UCF) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1. Rocafort/Schwartz (UCF) def. Estrada/Adderley (USF) 8-2
2. Beigart/Delinks (UCF) def. Kilani/Yoshizawa (USF) 9-7
3. Sakey/Romano (UCF) def. Acuna/Oljaca (USF) 8-4