Jan. 24, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Chilly weather could not stop the hot play of the UCF men's tennis team on Sunday. The Knights downed ASA Junior College, the back-to-back defending NJCAA national champions, 7-2, in an exhibition match at the UCF Tennis Complex.
"I think the team competed really well today," junior Inaki Espindola said. "I think we're slowly progressing, and we're going to have a great season with these guys."
Espindola and freshman Jack Thiessen opened things up for the Knights with a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles. The Avengers pulled even with a 6-4 win at No. 4 doubles, but junior Mariano Porter and sophomore Nico De Fraia put the Knights back in front with a 7-5 win at No. 3 doubles.
The decisive match for the doubles point came down to senior Jose Sangroniz and junior Chris Barrus at No. 2 doubles. The duo battled ASA to a tiebreaker and pulled off the 7-6(5) win to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead.
Thiessen kept the momentum in UCF's favor, making quick work of his opponent at No. 7 singles. His 6-1, 6-2 win gave the Knights a 2-0 lead in the match. Porter added to it with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles and Barrus extended the advantage to 4-0 with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles.
The Knights clinched the victory with a straight set victory from Acree at No. 5 singles. The junior posted matching 6-4 scores to give UCF the win.
"It felt nice to clinch against an obviously good team," Acree said. "They're a back-to-back junior college national championship program. I think it's a good step for the beginning of our season."
The Avengers tallied their first point of the match with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-0 win at No. 8 singles, but the Knights responded with a 6-3, 6-4 win from De Fraia at No. 6 singles. ASA battled for a 2-6, 6-4, 10-2 victory at No. 1 singles.
Espindola closed out the match on a positive note for the Knights at No. 2 singles. After taking the first set, 6-0, he fell in a tough 7-6(3) second set. Espindola rallied for a 6-2 win in the third set for the seventh UCF point of the match.
UCF heads out for its first road trip of the season. The Knights take on Miami at 2 p.m. on Friday before heading to Florida Atlantic for a noon match on Sunday.
UCF 7, ASA 2
Singles competition
1. N. Rouanet (ASA) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 2-6, 6-4, 10-2
2. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. F. Gomez (ASA) 6-0, 6-7(3), 6-2
3. Chris Barrus (UCF) def. E. Ahren Moonga (ASA) 6-3, 6-1
4. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. R. Carey (ASA) 6-2, 6-2
5. Reece Acree (UCF) def. P. Zarazua (ASA) 6-4, 6-4
6. Nico De Fraia (UCF) def. J. Balado (ASA) 6-3, 6-4
7. Jack Thiessen (UCF) def. J. Bermudez (ASA) 6-1, 6-2
8. M. Berrada (ASA) def. Arjun Watane (UCF) 6-4, 0-6, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Inaki Espindola/Jack Thiessen (UCF) def. Rouanet/Ahren Moonga (ASA) 6-1
2. Chris Barrus/Jose Sangroniz (UCF) def. Gomez/Carey 7-6(5) (ASA)
3. Mariano Porter/Nico De Fraia (UCF) def. Bermudez/Knof 7-5 (ASA)
4. Zarazua/Balado (ASA) def. Reece Acree/Arjun Watane (UCF) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,4,3,2); Singles (7,4,3,5,8,6,1,2)
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton