March 28, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Georgia Tech men’s tennis team (11-8. 1-5 ACC) fell to NC State (10-8, 3-2), 6-1, Friday afternoon at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center on the North Carolina State campus.
“I was happy how we came out and played in doubles today,” head coach Kenny Thorne said. “Scott and Ryan’s doubles win was very big for their confidence. I thought we played well today but we didn’t capitalize when we needed to. It was just a hard-fought match on the road. We have some things I am excited to work on for Sunday’s match at Wake Forest.”
The Yellow Jackets opened the day by winning the doubles point. Senior Scott Blackmon and freshman Ryan Smith upset the No. 9 duo of Nick Cavaday and Jay Weinacker, 8-4, at the No. 1 singles position. The Jackets tandem earned their fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season and first over a top 10 team. Senior George Gvelesiani and freshman Guillermo Gomez sealed the doubles point win with an 8-5 win over James McGee and Christian Welte.
The Wolfpack tied the score after Cavaday earned a 6-2, 6-0 win over Blackmon at the second spot in the lineup. NC State moved ahead, 2-1, when Derek Stephens defeated Doug Kenny, 6-1, 6-4, at the No. 5 spot. Weinacker then pulled out a 7-6, 6-4 win over Smith from the No. 3 position to give the Wolfpack a commanding 3-1 lead.
Gomez tried to bring the Jackets back into the match but he could not overcome McGee, who finished with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 win over Tech’s freshman on court No. 1. David Chermak pushed the Wolfpack lead to 5-1 when David Chermak outlasted sophomore Austin Roebuck, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, in a tough three-set match. At No. 4 singles, Welte was able to hold off freshman Eliot Potvin, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, for Tech’s third three-set match of the day. Potvin held a match-point in the second set but was able to capitalize and put the match away.
The Jackets return to action Sunday at Wake Forest (13-6, 4-1) at Leighton Stadium beginning at noon.
– RamblinWreck.com –
