TROY, Ala. – This past weekend the USC Upstate men's tennis team traveled down to Alabama to battle both Troy and North Alabama in back-to-back matches, the Spartans fell 4-3 to North Alabama on Saturday evening and on Sunday the Spartans were rained out.
 
"I am proud of the way these young men came out and competed today," USC Upstate head tennis coach Tim McLane said. "After the week they've had, and having to deal with the situation they've been put in, I really didn't know what to expect this weekend, but they came out and fought. We didn't have anywhere near our best tennis today, but it's a great testament to the character of these guys to come out and fight like that."
 
In the North Alabama match the Spartans fell behind after losing at the top two doubles courts. That did not stop the Spartans, however, as they battled back and almost won the match in singles action. The No. 5 singles match was the first to finish up and placed USC Upstate in an 0-2 hole after a straight sets loss by Frederick Sydow.
 
Tom Russwurm picked up a straight sets victory at the No. 6 singles court to pull the Spartans back within a point of North Alabama. After another falter at the No. 3 singles court, Leon Roider responded with a straight sets victory to keep the Spartans within a point. Then all the attention shifted to the No.4 and No. 1 singles courts as both flights went to a decisive third and final set.
 
Freshman Guilherme Diniz won 6-3 in the final set to tie the overall match score at three. Senior Fernando Bernardes gave it his all as he won the opening set 7-6 (10-4) at the No. 1 singles flight. In the final two sets Bernardes fell by a score of 6-3, giving North Alabama the match win.  
 
UP next for the Spartans
 The Spartans will play their home opener this Friday as they take on Emmanuel College in a dual meet at 11:00 a.m.

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