Sept. 18, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF men's tennis team closed out the Gator Invitational Sunday at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex in strong fashion. The Knights won all three of their doubles tilts, and also claimed four singles victories.
The Knights met players from Florida Atlantic Sunday. The event was the first of six this fall for UCF. Play began in Gainesville on Friday. Players from Florida and USF also competed in the event.
In doubles, seniors Joe Delinks (Falmouth, Mass.) and Eugene Dolgovykh (Palm Coast, Fla.) rolled to an 8-4 win over Taylor Albrecht and Chris Janssen. Facing Sean Bacha and Will Nuener, sophomore Mitch Thams (Queensland, Australia) and junior Juan Bolona (Miami, Fla.) posted an 8-4 victory. Sophomores Francesc Aulina (Barcelona, Spain) and Matthew Gladstone (Surfside, Fla.) were 8-4 winners over Robert Dubuque and Garrett Betsarakis.
"We executed better in doubles today. Eugene and Joe showed good energy," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said. "In singles, we looked a little fatigued, which can be expected after three tough days of tennis. Now we have to get back on the practice courts and get better."
Thams posted a 6-4, 6-3 singles triumph over Janssen. Junior Mario Samson (Miami, Fla.) rallied for a 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 win over Neuner. Gladstone handled Betsarakis (6-0, 7-5) and Bolona topped Bacha, 6-3, 6-1.
The Knights will return to action on Friday. Some members of the team will head to Fort Myers for a tournament hosted by Florida Gulf Coast, while the rest of the Knights will travel to Athens, Ga., for the Southern Intercollegiates.
Singles Competiton
Taylor Albrecht (FAU) def. Francesc Aulina (UCF) 6-2, 6-4
Mitch Thams (UCF) def. Chris Janssen (FAU) 6-4, 6-3
Mario Samson (UCF) def. Will Neuner (FAU) 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
Robert Dubuque (FAU) def. Eugene Dolgovykh (UCF) 4-6, 6-0, 6-4
Matthew Gladstone (UCF) def. Garrett Betsarakis (FAU) 6-0, 7-5
Juan Bolona (UCF) def. Sean Bacha (FAU) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles Competition
Delinks/Dolgovykh (UCF) def. Albrecht/Janssen (FAU) 8-4
Thams/Bolona (UCF) def. Bacha/Neuner (FAU) 8-4
Aulina/Gladstone (UCF) def. Dubuque/Betsarakis (FAU) 8-4