March 20, 2016
Final Stats
UCF - UAB stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF men's tennis team rolled past UAB at the UCF Tennis Complex on Sunday afternoon. The Knights posted a 4-0 victory over the Blazers.
We played a complete team match today, head coach Bobby Cashman said. Doubles started it for us, and (Mariano) Porter got us a quick singles point to apply more pressure. It was a good win against a good team.
The weather in Orlando delayed the match until 1 p.m., but UCF (7-9) went to work quickly in doubles action. Junior Mariano Porter and freshman Jack Thiessen teamed up to post at 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles.
The Knights clinched the doubles point on court one with a 6-2 win from juniors Inaki Espindola and Chris Barrus to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
I am happy with the way the team competed today, Espindola said. We played a tough team, but everyone responded well. Now we have to look to win on the road. I have confidence that we will do well next weekend.
Porter extended the UCF advantage to 2-0 with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 4 singles. Espindola earned his fifth win at No. 1 singles, topping Mitchell Martell, 6-4, 6-2, to give the Knights a 3-0 edge.
Sophomore Nico De Fraia clinched the win for the Knights at No. 5 singles. De Fraia won his opening set, 6-3, and bounced back after dropping the second set to earn a 6-1 third set win.
Today was one of the best wins of the season for the team, De Fraia said. It's nice to take off for the road with a win on our shoulders, and I'm proud of myself for clinching such a good game.
UCF and UAB each claimed a set on courts two, three and six and were in third sets when the Knights clinched the victory.
The Knights hit the road for a pair of matches next weekend. UCF is at Charlotte on Friday before traveling to Furman on Saturday.
Coaches Corner
We executed in doubles consistently on all three courts at the level we are supposed to: not flashy, but solid fundamentals with energy.
(Mariano) Porter was huge for us by stretching the lead. We count on him, and he delivered. We're happy for him and our team.
Every Knight competed the best we could, despite not playing our best at every moment. Competing with heart and fire are our keys. We did this today.
We had great fan support today, and again from our Sister Knights. This is the standard at UCF: smart, energetic fans who love the Knights. Thank you to everyone.
UCF 4, UAB 0
Singles competition
1. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Mitchell Martell (UAB) 6-4, 6-2
2. Chris Barrus (UCF) vs. Eric Komati (UAB) 5-7, 6-0, 2-4, unfinished
3. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) vs. Oliver Poysti (UAB) 4-6, 7-5, 1-3, unfinished
4. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. Christian Coetzee (UAB) 6-3, 6-4
5. Nico De Fraia (UCF) def. Luiz Felipe Pinto (UAB) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
6. Reece Acree (UCF) vs. Stepan Vancurik (UAB) 4-6, 6-1, 3-4, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. Christian Coetzee/Luiz Felipe Pinto (UAB) 6-2
2. Reece Acree/Tyler Pate (UCF) vs. Mitchell Martell/Kenton Parton (UAB) 3-4, unfinished
3. Mariano Porter/Jack Thiessen (UCF) def. Eric Komati/Stepan Vancurik (UAB) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,1,5)
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton