JOHNSON City, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) – The No. 31 UCF men's tennis team ended the regular season with a sweep of UNCW on Saturday afternoon at the Dave Mullins Tennis Complex.
"We played a good match today," head coach John Roddick said. "It's always nice to get seven wins. It was a solid team effort. Now we have a little break in order to get ready for the post season."
The Knights started off strong quickly clinching the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 3. Redshirt senior Harrison Richmond and senior Mariano Porter posted a 6-1 win on the top court. A 6-3 victory by senior Chris Barrus and freshman Enrique Paya lifted the Black and Gold to 1-0 lead against the Seahawks.
Only dropping four games, Porter added the first singles point to the total with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles. On the second court, Richmond followed suit with a 6-1, 6-2 win. Barrus sealed the deal for UCF with a 6-3, 6-4 win at the No. 4 spot.
Junior Korey Lovett added a fifth point for the Knights with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) victory on the top court, followed by sophomore Kalman Boyd added a 5-7, 6-4 10-8 comeback win. Paya completed the sweep with a 4-6, 6-3, 10-1 win on court six.
The Knights have a week off before play in the American Athletic Conference Championships begin. The American tournament will be held at the USTA National Campus beginning April 20-23.
Results (Order of Finish)
Doubles (1,3)
1). Harrison Richmond/ Mariano Porter (UCF) d. Ralphael Calzi/ Michael Morphy (UNCW), 6-3
2). Korey Lovett/ Kalman Boyd (UCF) vs. Ignasi de Rueda/ Daniel Groom (UNCW), 6-5 unfinished
3). Chris Barrus/ Enrique Paya (UCF) d. Michael Copeland/ Gabe Hocevar (UNCW), 6-3
Singles (3,2,4,1,5,6)
1). No. 70 Korey Lovett (UCF) d. Ignasi de Rueda (UNCW), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
2). Harrison Richmond (UCF) d. Josh Hublitz (UNCW), 6-1, 6-2
3). Mariano Porter (UCF) d. Leon Back (UNCW), 6-3, 6-1
4). Chris Barrus (UCF) d. Ralphael Calzi (UNCW), 6-3, 6-4
5). Kalman Boyd (UCF) d. Daniel Groom (UNCW), 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
6). Enrique Paya (UCF) d. Michael Morphy (UNCW), 4-6, 6-3, 10-1