Men’s Tennis Falls at Fourth-Ranked Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –  The University of Miami men’s tennis team dropped its first road match of the season Friday afternoon, falling at fourth-ranked Virginia, 7-0.

In doubles, the Cavaliers (10-2, 4-0 ACC) got off to a fast start when Carl Soderlund and William Woodall topped No. 22 Benjamin Hannestad and Franco Aubone, 6-1.

Virginia later clinched the point when Ryan Goetz and Chris Rodesch defeated Adria Soriano Barrera and Stephen Madonia, 6-2.

In singles play, Virginia claimed four of the opening sets, but Miami (3-4, 2-1 ACC) fought back to force a quartet of third sets before ultimately coming up short in the contest.

In the first match to complete, Hannestad fell to Inaki Montes, 2-6, 3-6.

In a battle among top-40 ITA singles players, looking to force a third-set, No. 34 Soriano Barrera jumped in front 5-1 in the second-set tiebreaker, but was unable to hold on.

Ultimately, the senior came up short against No. 29 Soderlund, 1-6, 6-7 (5-7), as Virginia pulled within a point of clinching.

Each of the final four matches entered third sets, with Miami hoping to mount a comeback.

On court 5, Aubone fell, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6, against Goetz, before Oren Vasser dropped a back-and-forth, 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, match against Alexander Kiefer.

Virginia extended its lead when No. 105 Jeffrey von der Schulenburg topped Bojan Jankulovski, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, before Rodesch wrapped up the contest with a, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, win over No. 64 Stefan Milicevic.

Up next, No. 39 Miami will travel to Blacksburg, Va., to face No. 39 Virginia Tech Sunday at Noon.