No. 24 Men's Tennis Victorious on Senior Knight Against BYU, 4-3No. 24 Men's Tennis Victorious on Senior Knight Against BYU, 4-3

No. 24 Men's Tennis Victorious on Senior Knight Against BYU, 4-3

by Alex Clough

ORLANDO – The Cardiac Knights strike once again. Three hours and a match-point down preceded yet another incredible victory at the USTA National Campus on Saturday night, as the No. 24 UCF men’s tennis team bested BYU, 4-3, to claim its 18th win of the season.

Amazing job from everyone, we had our backs against the wall again, but the guys once again showed how resilient they are. That was a very special match, Paul did it for his seniors!

Head coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess

Paul Colin capped off a night to remember, as seniors Liam Branger and Lleyton Cronje were honored before the match. In the final of four Big 12 matches at home, the Knights (18-3, 4-2) showed once again the resilience and spirit that has been instilled throughout a remarkable campaign. A back-and-forth bout with the Cougars (11-9, 0-6) saw two conference newcomers display collegiate tennis at its best.

With courts one and three-level at five-all in doubles, the Cougars pulled away on two courtesy of Jack Barnett and Redd Owen’s win over Francisco Llanes and Santiago Giamichelle, 6-3. While the Knights battled to get back in the contest, BYU would clinch the point on three after Tyler Goldhammer and TJ Wells pulled away from Colin and Mehdi Benchakroun, 7-5.

The team split the first sets as the Knights’ back three dominated to jump out to early advantages. Leading the charge was sophomore Giamichelle who would carry his momentum into the second set, besting BYU’s Redd Owen, 6-2, 6-0. The Argentinian is unbeaten in his last eight and extends his winning streak to five matches.

While the Cougars would take court two following Wally Thayne’s win over Llanes, 6-2, 6-1, the Black and Gold quickly responded on six. Making his third appearance of the season, Emilio Sanchez was clinical through his straight-set win over TJ Wells, 6-1, 6-4. The Spaniard has yet to lose in 2024 and has been a vital source of depth for Bruce-Burgess and his squad.

Benchakroun would give UCF the lead after his composed, 6-2, 6-3, victory over BYU’s David Duong on court five. The Moroccan continues his strong form for the Knights, as he leads the squad with a team-high 14 wins.

However, a BYU win on court one would level the match once again, as No. 123 Zach Barnett defeated Lleyton Cronje, 6-4, 6-3.

With sights set towards court three, Paul Colin had his back against the wall, down 5-2 in the third set to the Cougars’ Zach Fuchs. Colin battled back after dropping the first set to force the third and needed a similar run to prevail. After holding serve, the Frenchman would get a massive break to which he carried the momentum to level the bout at five-all.

Eventually going to a tiebreak, Colin gave Knight Nation a show, winning three straight points en route to the clinching result, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(5). Now 9-1 on the season, Colin continues to win when called upon, garnering his first collegiate win on court three and his second clinch of the season.

USTA National Campus continued to be fortes, as the Knights move to 12-1 at home after their third 4-3 win in Orlando.

UCF will conclude its regular season next weekend at No. 3 TCU ahead of its first Big 12 Conference Championships later this month in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Singles Results

  1. Jack Barnett (BYU) def. Lleyton Cronje (UCF) 6-4, 6-3
  2. Wally Thayne (BYU) def. Francisco Llanes (UCF) 6-2, 6-1
  3. Paul Colin (UCF) def. Zach Fuchs (BYU) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
  4. Santiago Giamichelle (UCF) def. Redd Owen (BYU) 6-2, 6-0
  5. Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) def. David Duong (BYU) 6-2, 6-3
  6. Emilio Sanchez (UCF) def. TJ Wells (BYU) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles Results

  1. Lleyton Cronje/Emilio Sanchez (UCF) vs. Zach Fuchs/Wally Thayne (BYU) 5-6, unfinished
  2. Jack Barnett/Redd Owen (BYU) def. Santiago Giamichelle/Francisco Llanes (UCF) 6-3
  3. Tygen Goldammer/TJ Wells (BYU) def. Paul Colin/Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) 7-5

Order of Finish

  • Singles - 4,2,6,5,1,3
  • Doubles - 2,3