April 9, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
DENVER, Colo. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing a neutral site match at the Stapleton Tennis Pavilion, the UCF men's tennis team dropped a close match Saturday as South Alabama recorded a 4-3 victory over the Knights. UCF was playing the first of two matches this weekend in Colorado.
The Jaguars (6-7) took the doubles point, and then won three of six singles matches to escape with the win.
The Knights, who are 9-12 on the year, will meet host Denver Sunday afternoon.
In singles action, UCF was victorious at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6. Facing Hanno Bartsch at No. 3, senior Blaze Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla.) rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win. Sophomore Mario Samson (Miami, Fla.) topped Parker Allen, 6-1, 6-4, at the No. 6 spot. Also picking up a victory for the Knights was freshman Mitch Thams (Queensland, Australia). At No. 5, he rallied to defeat Lucas Viel (4-6, 7-6, 6-2).
At the top spot, South Alabama's Romain Bocaert topped freshman Erik Brunskog (Linkoping, Sweden), 6-2, 6-3.
In doubles, Schwartz joined junior Joe Delinks (Falmouth, Mass.) for a win at No. 1. The pair topped Jairo Seur and Alexandre Bernard (8-6). The Jaguars posted victories at No. 2 and No. 3.
"We had some trouble adjusting to the higher altitude and the wind today, but simply we needed to play better fundamental tennis, especially in doubles," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said. "We need to regroup and get ready for another competitive match tomorrow against Denver."
South Alabama 4, UCF 3
Singles competition
1. Romain Bocaert (USA) def. Erik Brunskog (UCF) 6-2, 6-3
2. Alexandre Bernard (USA) def. Claudio Romano (UCF) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Blaze Schwartz (UCF) def. Hanno Bartsch (USA) 6-1, 6-1
4. Dauw Kruger (USA) def. Joe Delinks (UCF) 6-0, 6-3
5. Mitch Thams (UCF) def. Lucas Viel (USA) 4-6, 7-6, 6-2
6. Mario Samson (UCF) def. Parker Allen (USA) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Blaze Schwartz/Joe Delinks (UCF) def. Jairo Seur/Alexandre Bernard (USA) 8-6
2. Romain Bocaert/Lucas Viel (USA) def. Eugene Dolgovykh/Matthew Zachary (UCF) 8-4
3. Hanno Bartsch/Dauw Kruger (USA) def. Claudio Romano/Erik Brunskog (UCF) 8-5