Jan. 17, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After rain forced the UCF men's tennis team to postpone action against Florida Atlantic, the Knights came up short in a 4-1 loss to the Owls at Red Bug Lake Park on Saturday.
The Knights welcomed the Owls in the home opener at the UCF Tennis Complex on Thursday. In doubles action, sophomores Chris Barrus and Inaki Espindola had a 5-4 lead at number one, but a 6-3 win for the Owls at the number three position, followed by a 6-2 win a number two gave FAU the doubles point. The match was halted due to rain as the teams were on the courts in singles action.
Finishing the match at Red Bug Lake Park on Saturday, UCF looked to regroup in singles action. Will Neuner defeated Espindola, 6-2, 6-1, at the number three spot to give FAU a 2-0 lead in the match. The Owls took a 3-0 lead with a 6-3, 6-2 win for Robert Dubuque over freshman Tyler Pate in the number six position.
In the number four position, Chris Barrus won 7-6(2), 6-0 to give the Knights their first point of the match. The Owls stopped UCF's momentum as a straight set win from Andrei Morin-Kougoucheff over junior Jose Sangroniz clinched the 4-1 win for FAU.
Sophomore Reece Acree won his opening set 6-0 and held a 5-4 lead in the second set when FAU clinched its victory.
Next up, the Knights travel to Miami to face the No. 52 Hurricanes on Monday. The match is slated for a 12 p.m. start.
Florida Atlantic 4, #70 UCF 1
Singles competition
1. Francesc Aulina (UCF) vs. Richard Meade (FAU) 4-6, 3-4, unfinished
2. Andrei M-Kougoucheff (FAU) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 6-4, 6-2
3. Will Neuner (FAU) def. Inaki Espindola (UCF) 6-2, 6-1
4. Chris Barrus (UCF) def. Zandrix Acob (FAU) 7-6 (2), 6-0
5. Reece Acree (UCF) vs. Alexander Gitin (FAU) 6-0, 5-4, unfinished
6. Robert Dubuque (FAU) def. Tyler Pate (UCF) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) vs. Will Neuner/Andrei M-Kougoucheff (FAU) 5-4, unfinished
2. Robert Dubuque/Kian Mclean (FAU) def. Francesc Aulina/Reece Acree (UCF) 6-2
3. Richard Meade/Zandrix Acob (FAU) def. Jose Sangroniz/Tyler Pate (UCF) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (3,6,4,2)