March 10, 2016
Final Stats
UCF vs. East Carolina (3/10/16) - Images by UCF Knights
UCF - ECU Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The men's tennis team earned its second win over a conference opponent on Thursday afternoon. The Knights topped East Carolina, 4-0, under sunny skies at the UCF Tennis Complex.
"We started fast in doubles," assistant coach Brandon Stokes said. "Big start and then finish to give us an edge going into singles against a good ECU team. Conference matches are a different animal. The (team) was locked in beast mode today, and earned another tough conference win."
The Knights opened the match with a strong doubles showing. Juniors Chris Barrus and Inaki Espindola paired up for their fifth win of the season at No. 1 doubles. The duo posted a 6-2 win to start things off for the Black and Gold.
UCF (5-7) clinched the doubles point with a win from sophomore Tyler Pate and junior Reece Acree at No. 2 doubles. Acree served up an ace to seal the point for the Knights.
"It felt good to clinch the doubles point today," Acree said. "We all played good, on all three courts. We really made a statement going into singles, and for the beginning of this Spring Break home stand."
UCF carried the momentum over into singles, as every Knight won their opening set. Espindola gave the Knights a 2-0 lead in the match with a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 1. Barrus followed with a win of his own to push the advantage to 3-0. He defeated Vlad Anghel, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 2.
Sophomore Nico De Fraia clinched the team win for the Knights on court four. He defeated Frederic Lehfeldt, 6-4, 6-1, to give UCF its fifth win of the season.
"We played well and we sustained our level," De Fraia said. "We earned our second win in conference and that's because of the extra effort we had in practice the last week. I'm happy I clinched today, and I'm looking forward to a great match tomorrow."
The Knights are back in action on Friday, hosting No. 67 East Tennessee State. Doubles action begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by singles play.
Coach's Corner:
"We are proud of our boys. They are competing, bonding and growing into a tough brotherhood. It is exciting to witness.
"We started fast in doubles. Big start and then finish to give us an edge going into singles against a good ECU team. Conference matches are a different animal. The (team) was locked in beast mode today, and earned another tough conference win. They showed this by winning the first set on all singles courts.
"We are ready for another ranked team tomorrow. It will be a huge test against a talented and relentless team."
UCF 4, East Carolina 0
Singles competition
1. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Tendai Tapfuma (ECU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Chris Barrus (UCF) def. Vlad Anghel (ECU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Mariano Porter (UCF) vs. Kasey Countee (ECU) 6-2, 5-4, unfinished
4. Nico De Fraia (UCF) def. Fredric Lehfeldt (ECU) 6-4, 6-1
5. Reece Acree (UCF) vs. Ronny Georgi (ECU) 6-4, 3-3, unfinished
6. Tyler Pate (UCF) vs. Will Bissett (ECU) 7-6 (4), 1-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Tendai Tapfuma/James Ling (ECU) 6-2
2. Reece Acree/Tyler Pate (UCF) def. Fredric Lehfeldt/Vlad Anghel (ECU) 6-3
3. Mariano Porter/Jack Thiessen (UCF) vs. Kasey Countee/Ronny Georgi (ECU) 4-4, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,2,4)
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton