Box Score (.pdf)
Spartanburg, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's tennis team remains unbeaten at home after picking up its first conference victory of the season on Saturday afternoon by holding off the Lipscomb Bisons for a 4-3 win at the USC Upstate Tennis Complex.
Upstate improves to 5-11 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while Lipscomb falls to 5-8 on the season and 1-1 in league play.
"Today was a fantastic battle from both teams," said assistant coach Tim McLane. "Lipscomb is really well-coached and they compete hard. We have talked all season about defending home court, and it becomes even more important in conference play. We did a great job of sticking to and executing our game plan in doubles and we were able to carry that same effort and intensity into singles play. That was what gave us the edge today."
The Spartans captured the doubles point and led the Bisons 1-0 following wins at No. 1 and No. 2. Felix Ewers and Lenhard Haupt began things with a 6-2 victory in the No. 2 match over Thais Minet and Rob Mitchell. After Lipscomb won the No. 3 contest, Upstate took the doubles point at No. 1 as Fernando Bernardes and Ignacio Garrido defeated Victor Chaw and Alejandro Manzanares 7-6 (7-2).
The teams split the six singles matches with the Spartans winning three at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6. Francisco Neto put Upstate ahead 2-0 with his 6-3, 6-1 win over Minet at No. 6 singles before the Bisons answered with three straight victories at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 1 to lead 3-2. Garrido and Bernardes closed out the match for the Spartans with wins at No. 5 and No. 4 for the 4-3 victory. Garrido secured his fifth straight victory at No. 5 singles with a 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5) defeat of Jorge Ortegon. Bernardes, playing at the No. 4 position, gave Upstate the match victory after winning 7-6 (7-1), 7-5 over Daniel Cardenas.
The Spartans remain at home in conference play on Thursday, March 30 when they host Florida Gulf Coast at 6 p.m.
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Tennis Match Results
Singles competition
1. Rob Mitchell (LIP) def. Felix Ewers (UPST) 7-5, 7-5
2. Alejandro Manzanares (LIP) def. Lenhard Haupt (UPST) 6-4, 6-4
3. Victor Chaw (LIP) def. Ankush Arora (UPST) 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
4. Fernando Bernardes (UPST) def. Daniel Cardenas (LIP) 7-6 (7-1), 7-5
5. Ignacio Garrido (UPST) def. Jorge Ortegon (LIP) 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5)
6. Francisco Neto (UPST) def. Thais Minet (LIP) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Fernando Bernardes/Ignacio Garrido (UPST) def. Victor Chaw/Alejandro Manzanares (LIP) 7-6 (7-2)
2. Felix Ewers/Lenhard Haupt (UPST) def. Thais Minet/Rob Mitchell (LIP) 6-2
3. Daniel Cardenas/Jorge Ortegon (LIP) def. Ankush Arora/Francisco Neto (UPST) 6-4
Match Notes
Lipscomb 5-8, 1-1 ASUN
USC Upstate 5-11, 1-1 ASUN
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,2,3,1,5,4)
