WACO, Texas (UCFKnights.com) — The UCF men's tennis team clinched the doubles point, and had a 2-1 lead, but ultimately fell, 4-2, to No. 11 Baylor (11-2) at the Hurd Tennis Center on Monday afternoon.
"I am really proud of the fight we had in us today," said head coach John Roddick. "Our level of play was very good. We competed extremely well against a very good Baylor team."
The Knights (6-4) started the match strong in doubles action. UCF's top duo, Harrison Richmond and Mariano Porter, and Baylor's top pair (Max Tchoutakian/Johannes Schretter) each held serve for the first four games. The Knights broke Schretter's serve, took a 4-2 lead and never looked back. UCF picked up a 6-2 win on the top court.
On court three, Chris Barrus and Enrique Paya were in a 3-0 hole, before winning five straight games to take a 5-3 lead. Barrus and Paya held serve to pick up a 6-4 win to clinch the doubles point.
In singles, the Black and Gold held its ground. Danny Kerznerman added the lone singles point for the Knights. The junior took the first set deftly, collecting a 6-2 win. Constantin Frantzen fought back in the second set, taking a 5-3 lead. Kerznerman roared back and won four consecutive games to give him a 7-5 win to clinch the second singles point.
No. 93-ranked Korey Lovett and Richmond were in tight battles on the first and second court, respectively.
Richmond dropped the first set, 6-2 but used some end of the set momentum to take the second, 6-3. The Pawsley Island, S.C., native went toe-to-toe with No. 39-ranked Tchoutakian into the third set. The redshirt senior was leading 4-3 on court two when the match was called.
The Knights return home to Lake Nona and the USTA National Campus for four consecutive matches. The homestand begins when UCF hosts Davidson Monday at 1 p.m.
Final Results (Order of Finish)
Doubles (1,3)
1). Harrison Richmond/ Mariano Porter (UCF) d. Max Tchoutakian/ Johannes Schretter (BU), 6-2
2). Juan Benitez/ Constantin Frantzen (BU) vs. Korey Lovett/ Danny Kerznerman (UCF), 5-5 unfinished
3). Chris Barrus/ Enrique Paya (UCF) d. Jimmy Bendek/ Will Little (BU), 6-4
Singles (5,3,6,4,1)
1). No. 13 Juan Benitez (BU) d. Korey Lovett (UCF), 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
2). No. 29 Max Tchoutakian (BU) vs. Harrison Richmond (UCF), 6-2, 3-6, 3-4 unfinished
3). No. 50 Johannes Schretter (BU) d. Enrique Paya (UCF), 6-3, 6-2
4). Jimmy Bendek (BU) d. Chris Barrus (UCF), 6-3, 7-5
5). Will Little (BU) d. Kalman Boyd (UCF), 6-4, 6-0
6). Danny Kerznerman (UCF) d. Constantin Franzten, 6-2, 7-5