UCF vs. Bethune-Cookman (4/7/16) - Images by UCF Knights
UCF - Bethune-Cookman stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Senior Jose Sangroniz rallied the UCF men's tennis team in the final home match of his Knights career. The Black and Gold topped Bethune-Cookman 6-1 at the UCF Tennis Complex on Thursday afternoon.
"It was a great day to play tennis," Sangroniz said. "We played with energy and quickly jumped out to a lead over Bethune-Cookman."
The Knights swept doubles action. Juniors Chris Barrus and Inaki Espindola started it off with a 6-2 win at No. 1. Junior Reece Acree and sophomore Tyler Pate followed with a 6-2 win of their own at No. 2, and Sangroniz and freshman Jack Thiessen closed doubles with a 6-3 win at No. 3.
Sangroniz doubled UCF's lead in singles, as he quickly posted a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 3. Sophomore Nicolo De Fraia followed with a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 4, and Barrus clinched the UCF victory with a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles.
"It was an excellent team win today from the guys to send Jose out with a bang on his Senior Day," Barrus said. "From start to finish, we played smart and solid tennis, and we will look to continue that play. I am proud that I had the opportunity to clinch the match today, my first clinch of the season."
Espinolda added to the Black and Gold advantage with a 6-3, 6-2 win on court one. Bethune-Cookman collected its first point of the day on court six, but junior Mariano Porter closed out the match with a 6-1, 4-6, 10-7 comeback win at No. 4.
The Knights close out the regular season on the road, heading to Tulsa to face their fifth American Athletic Conference opponent of the season on April 17.
Coaches Corner
"A solid team effort by all our boys today. We started fast, sustained, and finished. This is what we strive to do and who we want to be.
"It was special to see Jose earn victories in doubles and singles on Senior Day. He was huge today!
"Thank you to all our fans today and the entire season. The energy is contagious and we could not do it without your belief. The Knight tennis family is growing stronger each year."
UCF 6, Bethune-Cookman 1
Singles competition
1. Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. CHEPIK,Alexander (BCUM) 6-3, 6-2
2. Chris Barrus (UCF) def. GTARI,Walid (BCUM) 6-1, 6-4
3. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) def. HALL,Justin (BCUM) 6-1, 6-0
4. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. PLAZAS,Jose (BCUM) 6-1, 4-6, 10-7
5. Nicolo De Fraia (UCF) def. LOPEZ,Pablo (BCUM) 6-0, 6-3
6. BARRERA,Alvaro (BCUM) def. Reece Acree (UCF) 2-6, 6-1, 5-4
Doubles competition
1. Chris Barrus/Inaki Espindola (UCF) def. GTARI,Walid/PLAZAS,Jose (BCUM) 6-2
2. Reece Acree/Tyler Pate (UCF) def. CHEPIK,Alexander/HALL,Justin (BCUM) 6-2
3. Jose Sangroniz/Jack Thiessen (UCF) def. LOPEZ,Pablo/BARRERA,Alvaro (BCUM) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,5,2,1,6,4) Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton