UCF
Bulls Lose at Central Florida
3/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
ORLANDO, FL - In a matchup of nationally ranked teams, the UB men's tennis team lost to #62 Central Florida Tuesday afternoon, 5-2. The Bulls, which came into the match ranked just behind the Golden Knights at #64, are now 8-4 this season. A trio of close matches would all go in favor of the home side.
In doubles play, the number one team of Damien David and Akhil Mehta continued their hot streak, winning 8-6. With the doubles portion squared at 1-1, the Golden Knights would take the doubles point thanks to an 8-7 win at third doubles. Mehta would even the match back up after a quick 6-2, 6-3 win at sixth singles, but the Knights would win the next four singles matches to clinch the win. Sebastian Ionescu, who missed the team's last match due to injury, rallied back with a 7-5, 6-3 win at second singles for the team's other win.
Three-set wins for UCF at first and fourth singles would ultimately be the difference in the match. The Bulls won the opening set in both matches before dropping the next two.
"I feel we played as well as we could today, and I am proud of how the guys responded to playing in 80 degrees against a top 75 team," head coach Lee Nickell said. "We were a point away from winning doubles, and a bad coaching choice at a crucial point made by me may have cost us that match. Today proved that this team can do special things, and I couldn't be more excited to get to the MAC matches and compete for a championship."
The team will remain in Orlando for one more mid-week match, coming tomorrow against Southern Mississippi. Match time is set for 10 am.
#62 Central Florida 5, #64 Buffalo 2
Doubles
David/Mehta def. Hromic/Flores, 8-6
Aulina/Gladstone def. Arevalillo/Hannestad, 8-4
Barrus/Espindola def. Alvarez/Ionescu, 8-7
Order of Finish: 2,1,3
Singles
Gladstone def. David, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3
Ionescu def. Hromic, 7-5, 6-3
Aulina def. Alvarez, 6-2, 6-1
Barrus def. Hannestad, 1-6, 6-0, 6-3
Espindola def. Arevalillo, 6-0, 6-3
Mehta def. Flores, 6-2, 6-3
Order of Finish: 6,3,5,4,1,2
