MTennis Defeats No. 75 ULL, 4-3, in Rematch

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Behind a big match-deciding win from newcomer William Albanese, the No. 54 University of Miami men’s tennis team stays undefeated at home downing No. 75 Louisiana-Lafayette, 4-3, today at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center. The Canes improved to a 3-0 record at home and 5-2 overall on the spring season.

“We knew this match was going to be a great challenge for us,” head coach Mario Rincon explained. “We had to be at our best, and our guys competed hard and I’m so proud of them for that.”

Louisiana-Lafayette posed a tough test for the Canes in doubles play, as they captured the early lead from strong performances on all three courts. The first doubles match went the way of the Ragin’ Cajuns, as Hunter and Yates Johnson downed Henrique Tsukamoto and Diego Soto, 8-6, in the third position. Omar Aly and Gabriel Flores, Miami’s No. 2 tandem, were facing a 7-6 deficit in their match when Wilfredo Gonzalez and Marco Stancati dropped an 8-6 decision, as Louisiana-Lafayette clinched the doubles point.

Beginning singles play with a 1-0 deficit, the Hurricanes knew they had to claim four singles matches for the victory, and they did just that.

Setting the tone for the Canes was senior Victor Mauz, as he breezed past Jarred Wynans, 6-2, 6-2 to put the Canes on the board. Finishing second was sophomore Wilfredo Gonzalez at the third position, and he gave the Canes a one-point advantage with his 6-3 7-5 win over Edgar Lopez.

Playing at No. 2 singles, Gabriel Flores battled to give the Canes a third consecutive singles win with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Jack Wynan.

Louisiana-Lafayette immediately responded with two straight singles wins. UM sophomore Henrique Tsukamoto dropped a 7-6, 6-4, decision to Hunter Johnson and Rick de Groot downed Miami’s Diego Soto, 7-5, 7-6, evening the match at 3-3.

“We were not surprised the match came down to a decider match,” Rincon said. “We knew it was going to be a tight one because Louisiana is a solid team up and down the lineup.”

It all came down to the rookie William Albanese at sixth singles and after dropping the opening set, 6-2, Albanese battled back to edge Hunter Goertz, 6-4, to extend the match to three sets. In the final frame, the freshman stayed poised and broke his opponents serve for a 6-3 match-clinching victory for the Hurricanes.

“I liked our chances with William,” Rincon said. “He is a very calm kid and plays well under pressure.”

Miami will continue play this weekend when the team travels to Tampa, Fla., for a match against the USF Bulls on Sunday, Feb.10 at 12 p.m. at the USF Varsity Courts.

For more information on the University of Miami men’s tennis team, visit HurricaneSports.com. To follow the UM men’s tennis team socially, visit Twitter.com/CanesMensTennis and Facebook at /MiamiHurricanesMensTennis.

ULL vs Miami, Fla.
Feb 8, 2013 at Miami, Fla.
(Neil Schiff Tennis Center)
#75 Louisiana-Lafayette 3, #54 Miami, Fla. 4

Singles Competition
1. Rick de Groot (ULL) def. Diego Soto (MIA) 7-5, 7-6
2. Gabriel Flores (MIA) def. Jake Wynan (ULL) 7-5, 6-3
3. Wilfredo Gonzalez (MIA) def. Edgar Lopez (ULL) 6-3, 7-5
4. Victor Mauz (MIA) def. Jarred Wynan (ULL) 6-2, 6-2
5. Hunter Johnson (ULL) def. Henrique Tsukamoto 7-6, 6-4
6. William Albanese (MIA) def. Hunter Goertz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1. Rick de Groot/Jake Wynan (ULL) def. Wilfredo Gonzalez/Marco Stancati 8-6
2. Edgar Lopez/Jarred Wynan (ULL) vs Omar Amy/Gabriel Flores 7-6
3. Yates Johnson/Hunter Johnson (ULL) def. Henrique Tsukamoto/Diego Soto 8-4

Match Notes
Miami 5-2; National ranking #54
Rice 2-3; National ranking #75