April 14, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Facing the another ranked opponent, the UCF men's tennis team concluded its regular season with a 5-2 loss to No. 56 Middle Tennessee Saturday at the USF Varsity Courts. The Knights will now turn their attention to the Conference USA Championship, which they will host at the UCF Tennis Complex starting Thursday.
UCF (9-12) was facing its eighth ranked opponent of the season. The Blue Raiders, who took the doubles point to open the match, improved to 16-7 with the victory.
The Knights recorded two singles wins Saturday. Mario Samson rolled past Forrest Edwards, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 5. Playing the final regular-season match of his career, senior Joe Delinks rallied for an impressive win at No. 6. Delinks was a 0-6, 7-6, 6-2 winner over Yannick Born.
"We had chances in the match, but what separates the good teams from the great teams is being able to finish out crucial games, finish sets, and stay engaged the entire match. We did not do that well enough today to pull it out," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said.
Samson also joined Jorge Blasco for a doubles win. At No. 2, the pair defeated Ben Davis and Christoph Lang, 8-5.
On Monday, C-USA will announce the pairings for the championship. Admission for the event, which runs through Sunday, is free.
Middle Tennessee 5, UCF 2
Doubles:
1. Born/Brand (MTSU) def. Thams/Delinks (UCF) 8-1
2. Blasco/Samson (UCF) def. Davis/Lang (MTSU) 8-5
3. Zito/Langley (MTSU) def. Bolona/Brunskog (UCF) 8-2
Singles:
1. Davis (MTSU) def. Blasco (UCF) 6-3; 6-7; 10-4
2. Langley (MTSU) def. Brunskog (UCF) 6-4; 7-6
3. Lang (MTSU) def. Thams (UCF) 6-4; 7-5
4. Zito (MTSU) def. Bolona (UCF) 6-0; 6-2
5. Samson (UCF) def. Edwards (MTSU) 6-4; 6-2
6. Delinks (UCF) def. Born (MTSU) 0-6; 7-6; 6-2