ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com)--The UCF men's tennis team upset No. 23 Texas Tech, 4-3, on Saturday evening at the USTA National Campus.
"I think the biggest thing this win does is give us belief, if you do the right things, work hard and focus on execution you give yourself a better chance to win," said head coach John Roddick. "I think today, from a coaching perspective, is a valuable lesson because they will believe what we have been saying. The bottom line is the effort that they put in, to not go away and to win three tiebreakers after dropping the doubles point, it's heart. It's something you can't teach."
In doubles, nationally ranked Mariano Porter and Harrison Richmond defeated Alex Sendegeya and Bjorn Thomson, 6-2, at the top court. Unfortunately, the Knights dropped the second and third doubles spots to drop the doubles point.
After dropping a singles point, senior Chris Barrus put the first points on the board for the Knights with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Ronit Bisht at the No. 5 position. Junior Danny Kerznerman tied the match at 2-2, when he defeated Carlos DiLaura, 7-6 (4), 6-1 at No. 6 singles.
Texas Tech went ahead with a victory at the third singles spot, but junior Korey Lovett tied it up with a 7-6 (9), 6-4 victory at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Kalman Boyd clinched the victory for the Knights with a 7-6 (0), 6-4 victory over Connor Curry.
"This win gave us a ton of confidence because we knew we could all come out here and win if we executed our game plans," said Lovett. "We've been working really hard at practice. I think everyone was really excited to get out there and everyone took advantage of the opportunity."
The Knights host New Mexico on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m., at the USTA National Campus.
Results
Singles
1). Korey Lovett (UCF) d. Jolan Caileau 7-6 (9), 6-4
2). Kalman Boyd (UCF) d. Connor Curry 7-6 (0), 6-4
3). Alex Sendegeya d. Harrison Richmond (UCF) 6-3, 6-2
4). Bjorn Thomson d. Mariano Porter (UCF) 6-1, 6-3
5). Chris Barrus (UCF) d. Ronit Bisht 6-0, 6-4
6). Danny Kerznerman (UCF) d. Carlos DiLaura 7-6 (3), 6-1
Doubles
1). Richmond/Porter (UCF) d. Sendegeya/Thomson 6-2
2). Curry/DiLaura d. Lovett/Boyd (UCF) 6-3
3). Bisht/Hyrkkonen d. Paya/Barrus (UCF) 6-4
Order of Finish
Singles: 4,5,6,3,1,2
Doubles: 1,2,3