April 10, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
UCF-Middle Tennessee Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF men's tennis team held off a late rally from Middle Tennessee to earn a 4-3 victory over the Blue Raiders on Friday afternoon at the UCF Tennis Complex .
UCF (15-8) took a 1-0 lead in the match after winning the doubles point. Senior Francesc Aulina and freshman Tyler Pate earned a 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles to start the Knights off. After Middle Tennessee posted a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles, the point came down to the number one position. Sophomores Chris Barrus and Inaki Espindola sealed the Black and Gold point with a 6-3 win.
Espindola carried the momentum into singles action, extending the UCF lead to 2-0 with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles. Sophomore Mariano Porter improved to 14-0 in singles action with a 6-2, 7-5 win at the number five position to push the Black and Gold lead to 3-0.
The Blue Raiders began their rally with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win at No. 3 singles. Courts one and two went Middle Tennessee's way as well. Ettore Zito posted a 7-6(4), 6-2 win at the number two position, followed by a 7-6(5), 6-3 win for Ben Davis at No. 1 singles to tie the match at 3-3.
After falling to Robin Riethmueller in the opening set, sophomore Jesse Flores battled back to clinch UCF's victory with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 6 singles. The Knights claimed their second consecutive win with a 4-3 victory over the Blue Raiders. UCF returns to action on Sunday, hosting No. 46 Memphis on Senior Day. Francesc Aulina will be recognized prior to the 10 a.m. start at the UCF Tennis Complex.
UCF 4, Middle Tennessee 3
Singles competition
1. Ben Davis (MTMTEN) def. Francesc Aulina (UCF) 7-6 (5), 6-3
2. Ettore Zito (MTMTEN) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 7-6 (4), 6-2
3. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Yannick Born (MTMTEN) 6-4, 6-4
4. Gian Issa (MTMTEN) def. Chris Barrus (UCF) 7-6 (3), 6-3
5. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. Dima Zyhmantovich (MTMTEN) 6-2, 7-5
6. Jesse Flores (UCF) def. Robin Riethmueller (MTMTEN) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Victor Hoang/Ben Davis (MTMTEN) 6-2
2. Yannick Born/Miguel Fernandez (MTMTEN) def. Mariano Porter/Jesse Flores (UCF) 6-1
3. Francesc Aulina/Tyler Pate (UCF) def. Ettore Zito/Dima Zyhmantovich (MTMTEN) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,5,4,2,1,6)