April 12, 2013
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Facing a nationally ranked team for the eighth time this season, the UCF men's tennis team came up just short against No. 45 Middle Tennessee State Friday, falling 4-3 at the UCF Tennis Complex. The Knights took the doubles point to open the match, but the visitors responded by taking four of six singles contests.
The Blue Raiders, who improved to 18-6 in 2013, won their seventh-straight match.
UCF (10-8) recorded singles wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots. Francesc Aulina rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 6 over Dimitri Pippos. Facing Yannick Born at No. 5, Juan Bolona rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
The Blue Raiders won at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 before Ettore Zito outlasted UCF's Amar Hromic at No. 3 (6-2, 2-6, 6-0).
Matthew Gladstone joined Bolona for an 8-3 triumph at No. 2 doubles over Marlon Brand and Born. At No. 3, Mario Samson and Aulina topped Zito and David Fox, 8-6.
UCF will conclude the regular season Sunday when it hosts cross-state rival USF at 10 a.m.
"I am proud of the ways the guys came out and battled today," UCF assistant coach Jordie Kindervater said. "We came up just short against a resilient MTSU squad. We did a great job setting the tone for the match in doubles today, the guys embraced the adversity all the way through."
The match versus the Blue Raiders served as UCF's first contest since March 30.