MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team picked up a much needed 4-3 victory and upset over 32nd ranked Clemson at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts, Saturday. USA (No.52) improves to 2-3 on the year, while Clemson falls to 7-5 on the season.
In doubles action, the Jaguars had to concede at the number three position, but picked up the point on both matches they played. The Jaguar duo of Jack Baker and Marek Sramek defeated Rok Bizjak and Derek DiFazio, 8-6. To clinch the point for USA, Robert Hodel and R.J. Nagel downed Carlos Alvarez and Kevin Fleck, 8-4.
“We started the day very strong and by winning the doubles point we knew that would be the key for us if we wanted to win,” head coach Nick Brochu said. “It kept the pressure on Clemson and our guys stepped up.”
On the singles side of the match, South Alabama make quick work of the Tigers by winning three of five matches. Marek Sramek quickly defeated 99th ranked Rok Bizjak (6-0, 6-1), ninth ranked Jack Baker downed Gera Boyachinskiy (6-4, 6-1) and R.J. Nagel made quick work of Carlos Alvarez (6-1, 6-0). Clemson was able to pick up its only three points by defeating Robert Hodel, Aaron Krisan and one by default.
“We knew that Clemson is a team that will never give up and we knew this was going to be a battle all day,” Brochu added. “We had to play aggressive tennis today if we wanted to beat them and we did that.”
“Today we played together as a team and we had to do that if we wanted to beat a good team like Clemson,” Brochu noted. "It was a great accomplishment to beat a ranked team with only five players."
The Jaguars will continue with their home action as they play Stetson in a make-up match from earlier in the weekend at 10 a.m., Sunday. Match results can be accessed at usajaguars.com.
No. 58 South Alabama 4 v.s. No. 32 Clemson 3
February 23, 2008
Bruce David Lubel Tennis Center
Doubles
Order of Finish (3, 1,2)
1. Jack Baker and Marek Sramek def. Rok Bizjak and Derek DiFazio, 8-6
2. Robert Hodel and R.J. Nagel def. Carlos Alvarez and Kevin Fleck, 8-4. *
3. Gera Boryachinsky and Kevin Galloway win by default
Singles
Order of Finish (6, 1, 2, 3, 4,5)
1. No. 9 Jack Baker (USA) def. No. 99 Rok Bizjak (CU) (6-4, 6-1)
2. Marek Sramek (USA) def. Gera Boryachinsky (CU) (6-0, 6-1)
3. R.J. Nagel (USA) def. Kevin Fleck (CU) (6-1, 6-0) %
4. Carlos Alvarez (CU) def. Robert Hodel (USA) (6-1, 6-4)
5. Ike Belk (CU) def. Aaron Krisan (USA) (6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-1)
6. Derek DiFazio wins by default
* Clinched Doubles Point
% Clinched Overall Match
