Feb. 11, 2012
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By David Buchman
UCFAthletics.com
LAFAYETTE, La. (UCFAthletics.com) - In its first of a two-match road trip, the UCF men's tennis team suffered a 5-2 defeat to Louisiana-Lafayette at the Cajun Courts Saturday.
The Knights (2-2) began play by sweeping the Ragin' Cajuns in doubles play, before losing the momentum in singles.
"It was great to sweep doubles," head coach Bobby Cashman said. "Especially since every match was so close. I think we let up a little bit in singles and had a hard time adjusting to the windy conditions. Hats off to Louisiana-Lafayette"
Juniors Jorge Blasco (Alicante, Spain) and Mario Samson (Miami, Fla.) both suffered their first singles defeats of the season. Blasco fell to Rick DeGroot at the top position 6-4, 6-4, as Samson fell to Yanick Mandl 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3.
Although his loss in singles, Samson still remains undefeated in doubles after winning 8-6 this afternoon while paired with senior Joe Delinks (Falsmouth, Mass.).
Sophomore Erik Brunskog (Linkoping, Sweden) was the lone Knight to claim a singles victory against Louisiana-Lafayette (2-2), defeating Carlin Murray 6-2, 4-6, 11-9 at No. 2.
"It was a good win for Erik," Cashman said. "He has been gaining confidence now winning three in a row at No. 2."
The Knights will be back in action Sunday to face Tulane at the Goldring Tennis Center for an 11 a.m. EST match. The Green Wave will be UCF's first test against a C-USA opponent this season.
Louisiana 5, UCF 2
Singles competition
1. DeGroot, Rick (UL) def. Jorge Blasco (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
2. Erik Brunskog (UCF) def. Murray, Carlin (UL) 6-2, 4-6, 11-9
3. Mandl, Yanick (UL) def. Mario Samson (UCF) 6-3, 6-1
4. Farinola, Damian (UL) def. Juan Bolona (UCF) 6-4, 6-3
5. Wynan, Jarred (UL) def. Joe Delinks (UCF) 6-4, 6-2
6. Alberton, Carl (UL) def. Matthew Gladstone (UCF) 6-3, 6-7, 11-9
Doubles competition
1. Erik Brunskog/Eugene Dolgovykh (UCF) def. Mandl, Yanick/Farine, Brandon (UL) 8-6
2. Mario Samson/Joe Delinks (UCF) def. Murray, Carlin/DeGroot, Rick (UL) 8-6
3. Juan Bolona/Matthew Gladstone (UCF) def. Farinola, Damian/Wynan, Jarred (UL) 8-6