Feb. 12, 2013
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By Mike Garabedian
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Following a pair of home victories against Rollins and FAU, the UCF men's tennis team dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker Tuesday to No. 75 Louisiana-Lafayette at the UCF Tennis Complex.
The Knights (3-4) started quick after claiming the doubles point to begin the match. At the No. 2 doubles slot, the duo of Matthew Gladstone and Jorge Blasco clinched the point for the Knights with an 8-5 win over twins Hunter and Yates Johnson.
Jorge Blasco seems to be in mid-season form, easing his way to another triumph at the No. 1 position with a 6-2, 6-3 domination over Rick de Groot.
True freshman Jose Sangroniz's powerful play during both tiebreakers was too much down the stretch for Jarred Wynan to handle. He earned the Knights' third point with a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8) victory at the No. 3 spot.
With the contest tied at 3-3, the match at the No. 5 position would determine the afternoon's winner. Trailing 4-0 in the last set, Francesc Aulina charged back to tie the match at four. Following a back-and-forth fifth and sixth set, Aulina was edged out by Hunter Johnson 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to clinch the victory for the Ragin Cajun's (3-4).
"We had opportunities to put this team away and we failed to capitalize on key points," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said. "There is a lot to learn from this loss and our guys need to do a better job staying in the moment and focusing on themselves."
UCF returns to the court Friday for a 2 p.m. showdown against Florida Gulf Coast at the UCF Tennis Complex. Admission is always free at the UCF Tennis Complex.
Doubles:
1. Rick de Groot/Jake Wynan (La.-Laf.) def. Amar Hromic/Juan Bolona (UCF) 8-5
2. Matthew Gladstone/Jorge Blasco (UCF) def. Hunter Johnson/Yates Johnson (La.-Laf.) 8-5
3. Mario Samson/Francesc Aulina (UCF) def. Jared Wynan/Damian Farinola (La.-Laf.) 8-1
Singles:
1. Jorge Blasco (UCF) def. Rick de Groott (La.-Laf.) 6-2, 6-3
2. Jake Wynan (La.-Laf.) def. Amar Hromic (UCF) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
3. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) def. Jarred Wynan (La.-Laf.) 7-6(4), 7-6(8)
4. Hunter Johnson (La.-Laf.) def. Matthew Gladstone (UCF) 6-2, 6-2
5. Hunter Goertz (La.-Laf.) def. Francesc Aulina (UCF) 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4
6. Yates Johnson (La.-Laf.) def. Mario Samson (UCF) 7-5, 7-5