Box Score JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The College of Charleston men's tennis team (3-5) came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie things at 3-3 on Friday night against North Florida (5-6), but the Ospreys were able to pull it together in top flight play to squeak past the Cougars for the 4-3 victory.
North Florida set the tone with two convincing wins in lower flight doubles play to capture the point, and then surged forward for a quick win on court three in singles play to seize the early advantage.
Alec Angradi was able to right the ship however, coming back from a 4-6 deficit in the opening set of flight six with a pair of 6-1, 6-1 wins to take the match against Alberto De Meo.
After that,
Benedikt Henning knotted the match up at 2-2 when he knocked off Lasse Muscheites in flight two by way of a second set tiebreak (6-3, 7-6(7)). UNF however fired back with a 7-5, 7-5 win on court four over
Easton Thomas to regain the lead in the match.
Ksawey Pociej endured a poor start in his court five showdown with Joe Ellis, win the second set 6-4, and powered through for a 7-6(5) tiebreak win to tie the match at 3-3. Over on court one,
Juan Estevarena was looking to follow suit, winning a 7-6(2) tiebreak in the second set after dropping the first. However, the Argentinian was gassed down the stretch, and was defeated by Jefta Kecic in the third set in just seven games.
"We found our rhythm after the first hour, with great leadership on display from Juan and Benni on the top two courts," head coach
Jay Bruner said. "The back of the lineup really rallied for us tonight, and we looked like a team out there. Going forward, we'll need to hit our stride earlier in the match, and ride that early momentum to the finish."
The Cougars now head to Maryland for two matches on Friday against Coppin State and Washington College.
UNF 4, CofC 3
SINGLES
Jefta Kecic (UNF) def.
Juan Estevarena (CofC) ~ 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-1
Benedikt Henning (CofC) def. Lasse Muscheites (UNF) ~ 6-3, 7-6(7)
Sahil Deshmukh (UNF) def.
Ryan Kahn (CofC) ~ 6-1, 6-1
Till Von Winning (UNF) def.
Easton Thomas (CofC) ~ 7-5, 7-5
Ksawery Pociej (CofC) def. Joe Ellis (UNF) ~ 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Alec Angradi (CofC) def. Alberto De Meo (UNF) 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 6, 2, 4, 5, 1*
DOUBLES
Estevarena/Henning (CofC) vs. Kecic/Muscheites (UNF) ~ 2-4, DNF
Deshmukh/Von Winning (UNF) def. Angradi/Dabbabi (CofC) ~ 6-1
De Meo/Duarte (UNF) def. Pociej/Ramirez Lascurian (CofC) ~ 6-2
Order of Finish: 2, 3*
