March 20, 2014
Live scoring of weekend matches
THE FLATS – Following a weekend off and coming out of spring break, Georgia Tech hosts a pair of big Atlantic Coast Conference matches against Boston College Friday and Notre Dame Sunday at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex.
The Boston College match begins at 5 p.m. Friday, and the Notre Dame match is set for 12 noon Sunday. Parking is free along Fowler Street, 8th Street and in the McCamish Pavilion lot.
The Yellow Jackets (6-6, 0-2 ACC), who rose as high as No. 42 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings after beginning the season 6-1, dropped out of the ITA poll this week after dropping matches to Georgia State and Miami two weekends ago. Tech has lost five straight matches.
The Eagles (4-6, 0-2 ACC) defeated Sacred Heart Saturday in their last match, and has lost to Virginia and Virginia Tech in conference play. The Fighting Irish (11-5, 1-1 ACC) are ranked 11th in the nation but have lost two straight road matches at Virginia and Southern California, both ranked in the top five. Notre Dame will face 20th-ranked Clemson Friday before coming to Atlanta.
“We had some much needed practice the last two weeks,” said Tech coach Kenny Thorne. “We have had to be cautious working with smaller team numbers so we can keep people healthy. We’ve had some good work these two weeks, though, and we’re looking forward to getting back to match play.”
Thorne has shuffled his lineup somewhat due to injuries, moving freshman Carlos Benito (Madrid, Spain) and sophomore sophomore Nathan Rakitt (Marietta, Ga.) between the top two spots. Both players are 5-6 in dual matches this spring. Junior Eduardo Segura (Madrid, Spain) is in the No. 3 position with a 5-4 mark.
Freshmen Cole Fiegel (Alachua, Fla.) and Will Showers (Gainesville, Ga.) have moved up to No. 4 and 5, respectively, following an injury to sophomore Casey Kay (Atlanta, Ga.). Fiegel is 8-1 this spring, capturing Tech’s only singles match against Miami, while Showers is 3-3, captured Tech’s only singles win against the Tennessee. Junior Colin Edwards (Valrico, Fla.) moved into the No. 6 spot.
Two of Tech’s doubles teams are ranked by the ITA. Benito and Segura, 9-2 this spring, are ranked 20th, while Fiegel and Rakitt (2-1 this spring, 6-5 overall) are No. 63. Tech has won the doubles point in seven of 12 matches.
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.
