March 6, 2014
THE FLATS – Back home following three straight road matches against higher ranked teams, Georgia Tech hosts Georgia State on Friday and resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play against Miami on Sunday at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex.
The Yellow Jackets (6-4), No. 52 in this week’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, have dropped three straight, all against teams ranked No. 38 or higher. That includes a 6-1 loss at No. 38 Florida State to open conference play on Feb. 22, and a 4-1 loss at No. 13 Tennessee earlier this week.
The Panthers (6-9) come to campus ranked No. 73 but with two straight losses, while the Hurricanes (6-3) open their ACC schedule Friday at No. 23 Clemson before coming to Atlanta. Tech and Miami have one common opponent in non-conference play, North Florida, which the Hurricanes defeated 4-3 on Feb. 22, and the Jackets beat, 4-2, on Jan. 25.
Head coach Kenny Thorne shuffled his lineup somewhat at Tennessee, elevating freshman Carlos Benito (Madrid, Spain) to the No. 1 singles spot, and moving sophomore Nathan Rakitt (Marietta, Ga.) to No. 2. Both players are 5-4 in dual matches this spring. Junior Eduardo Segura (Madrid, Spain) is in the No. 3 position with a 5-3 mark.
Freshmen Cole Fiegel (Alachua, Fla.) and Will Showers (Gainesville, Ga.) moved up to No. 4 and 5, respectively, following an injury to sophomore Casey Kay (Atlanta, Ga.), who remains in the doubles lineup. Fiegel is 7-1 this spring, while Showers, 3-2, captured Tech’s only singles win against the Volunteers. Sophomore Anish Sharma (Alpharetta, Ga.) moved into the No. 6 spot.
Benito and Segura, Tech’s top doubles team ranked No. 36 nationally, began the spring by winning their first seven matches but have lost the last two. Kay and Rakitt, 4-4, occupy the No. 2 spot, while Showers and Fiegel play at No. 3.
About Georgia Tech Men’s Tennis
Georgia Tech’s men’s tennis team is in its 16th year under head coach Kenny Thorne. The Yellow Jackets have played in the NCAA Championship 14 times.
Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Tennis on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GT_MTEN). For more information on Tech men’s tennis, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
