College of Charleston
North Carolina
Charleston Falls to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament
5/14/2016 7:05:00 PM | Men's Tennis
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The College of Charleston men's tennis team fell to the No. 2 overall seed, and No. 3 nationally ranked, North Carolina Tar Heels, 4-0, on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The Cougars (19-7) end their season with the most wins in a single season since before 2004. CofC picked up their first Colonial Athletic Association championship, and although they lost to North Carolina, head coach Jay Bruner noted that there is still a lot to be proud of.
“These guys have played their tails off all season, and I couldn't be more proud of how they fought, and continued to improve all year.” Bruner said. “It's unfortunate we couldn't advance in the tournament, but you have to hand it to [North Carolina], they're a heck of a team.”
Charleston came into the match riding a seven game winning streak, including three straight wins in the CAA Tournament to secure the championship. On the other hand, North Carolina (26-4) entered the tournament looking to shake off a tough, 4-3, loss in the Atlantic Coastal Conference Semifinals against Virginia.
The Tar Heels opened the match by securing the doubles point with wins in the No. 2 flight, 6-1, and the No. 3 flight, 6-3, leaving the No. 1 match unfinished.
The Cougars gave the Tar Heels a fight in singles play though. Charlie Ghriskey took UNC's Brett Clark, the No. 46 ranked singles player, to a 3-3 tie in the No. 3 flight, before falling, 6-4, in the first set. Zack Lewis also challenged for CofC in the No. 4 position, before eventually falling to Jack Murray, 6-3, 6-0. North Carolina secured wins in the No. 5, No. 2 and No. 4 flights to secure their first round victory.
No. 3 North Carolina 4, College of Charleston 0
Singles
1. #26 Brayden Schnur (NC) vs. Juan Estevarena (COFCM) 6-2, 3-1, unfinished
2. #28 Ronnie Schneider (NC) def. Rodrigo Encinas (COFCM) 6-1, 6-1
3. #46 Brett Clark (NC) vs. Charlie Ghriskey (COFCM) 6-4, 4-2, unfinished
4. Jack Murray (NC) def. Zack Lewis (COFCM) 6-3, 6-0
5. #117 Robert Kelly (NC) def. Vasily Kichigin (COFCM) 6-0, 6-1
6. Anudeep Kodali (NC) vs. Garrett Gordon (COFCM) 6-2, 5-1, unfinished
Doubles
1. #3 Brett Clark/Robert Kelly (NC) vs. Juan Estevarena/Rodrigo Encinas (COFCM) 5-3, unfinished
2. #27 Brayden Schnur/Jack Murray (NC) def. Vasily Kichigin/Josh Record (COFCM) 6-1
3. Anudeep Kodali/Ronnie Schneider (NC) def. Zack Lewis/Charlie Ghriskey (COFCM) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (5,2,4)
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Players Mentioned
