March 6, 2016
Final Stats
UCF - No. 3 TCU Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Juniors Inaki Espindola and Reece Acree each took a set in singles action, but the UCF men's tennis team fell short in a 7-0 decision to No. 3 TCU at the UCF Tennis Complex on Sunday.
I thought our team played well today, head coach Bobby Cashman said. (TCU) is No. 3 in the country. I thought we showed a lot of grace, coming back from that (New Orleans) trip where we lost two matches. We came out really focused.
The teams opened the match with three strong doubles matches. Horned Frog took an early 1-0 lead in the match by winning on all three doubles courts.
TCU added to its lead with singles wins on courts four and two, and clinched the team win with a victory at No. 2 singles. The Horned Frogs took a 5-0 lead with a win at No. 3 singles.
On court five, Acree bounced back after dropping the first set, 6-1, to post a 6-3 victory over Trey Daniel. The No. 5 match went to a decisive third set, but Daniel pulled away with a 6-2 victory to take the point.
In the final match, Espindola battled No. 24 Alex Rybakov at No. 1. Espindola earned the 6-4 win in the opening set, but Rybakov evened it up with a 6-1 second set win, forcing a decisive third set. The two played point-for-point, but Rybakov edged Espindola, 6-4, to claim the win.
I think this match helps us realize how close we are to the best teams in the country, Espindola said. I'm proud of the way everyone competed today. We're looking forward to playing the next five matches here at home and getting some wins.
The Knights continue action at the UCF Tennis Complex on March 10, hosting East Carolina. UCF faces its third American Athletic Conference opponent of the season as the Knights welcome East Carolina for a 2 p.m. match.
Coach's Corner:
I thought our team played well today. (TCU) is No. 3 in the country. I thought we showed a lot of grace, coming back from that (New Orleans) trip where we lost two matches. We came out really focused. We've had some good practices, and it's always good to be home. Now this match is going to help us. We have a lot of home matches in a row now, so we can get going. We'll compete against a good East Carolina team within conference. We'll try to get back on our winning ways, which we will.
I thought Inaki had a chance against a top-ranked player. I think we have to get better at second sets, but everyone competed well.
No. 3 TCU 7, UCF 0
Singles competition
1. #24 Alex Rybakov (TCU) def. Inaki Espindola (UCF) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
2. #49 Guillermo Nunez (TCU) def. Chris Barrus (UCF) 6-4, 6-1
3. #99 Eduardo Nava (TCU) def. Mariano Porter (UCF) 7-6 (5), 6-1
4. Trevor Johnson (TCU) def. Nico De Fraia (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
5. Trey Daniel (TCU) def. Reece Acree (UCF) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
6. Reese Stalder (TCU) def. Tyler Pate (UCF) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Reese Stalder/Hudson Blake (TCU) def. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) 6-3
2. Alex Rybakov/Guillermo Nunez (TCU) def. Reece Acree/Mariano Porter (UCF) 6-2
3. Eduardo Nava/Trevor Johnson (TCU) def. Nico De Fraia/Arjun Watane (UCF) 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,4,2,3,5,1)
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton