April 7, 2012
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By David Buchman
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF men's tennis team fell 7-0 to No. 24 Tulsa Saturday in an event that began outdoors at the Case Tennis Center but was finished inside due to poor weather conditions. In the Conference USA match-up, the Knights encountered three ranked singles opponents and a ranked pairing in doubles.
The afternoon began for the Knights (9-11), with senior Joe Delinks and sophomore Mitch Thams falling 8-2 to Ashley Watling and Clifford Marsland at the No. 1 doubles position. Watling and Marsland aren't just the top doubles pair for Tulsa (12-8), they are also the No. 4 ranked pair in the nation with a 14-5 record this spring.
In other doubles play, sophomore Erik Brunskog and junior Juan Bolona fell 8-3 at the No. 2 position to Grant Ive and Tristan Jackson, while Juniors Jorge Blasco and Mario Samson fell 8-7 (7-5) to Japie De Klerk and Lucian Gheorghe at the No. 3 spot.
In singles play, Blasco fell in a 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 1-0 (10-7) match to No. 83 De Klerk at the No. 1 position. At the No. 2 spot, No. 93 Marsland defeated Brunskog 6-1, 6-3 as Thams fell 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 3 position to No. 89 Watling.
Bolona was defeated at the No. 4 position 7-5, 7-5 by Ive, as Samson fell to Jackson 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 5. At the No. 6 spot, Delinks challenged Gheorghe splitting the first two sets 6-1, 4-6 before falling in the third 6-4.
"I thought we had chances in four matches," Knights head coach Bobby Cashman said. "We were up at the No. 1, No. 4, and No. 5 positions, while Delinks was battling at the No. 6. spot before we had to move indoors due to the weather. Tulsa quickly gained momentum back after that. Even though we fought hard, we couldn't break through to pull out victories in the matches."
The Knights will be back in action Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. when they travel to Tampa to play Middle Tennessee State in their final regular season match of the season.
Doubles
1. #4 Ashley Watling/Clifford Marsland (TLS) def. Mitch Thams/Joe Delinks (UCF) 8-2
2. Grant Ive/Tristan Jackson (TLS) def. Erik Brunskog/Juan Bolona (UCF) 8-3
3. Japie De Klerk/Lucian Gheorghe (TLS) def. Jorge Blasco/Mario Samson (UCF) 8-7 (7-5)
Singles
1. #83 Japie De Klerk (TLS) def. Jorge Blasco (UCF) 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 1-0 (10-7)
2. #93 Clifford Marsland (TLS) def. Erik Brunskog (UCF) 6-1, 6-3
3. #89 Ashley Watling (TLS) def. Mitch Thams (UCF) 6-1, 6-2
4. Grant Ive (TLS) def. Juan Bolona (UCF) 7-5, 7-5
5. Tristan Jackson (TLS) def. Mario Samson (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
6. Lucian Gheorghe (TLS) def. Joe Delinks (UCF) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
Match Notes:
UCF 9-11, 0-3 C-USA
Tulsa 12-8, 2-0 C-USA; National ranking #24
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,5,3,1,6,4)