Hurricanes Fall To No. 20 NC State

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men’s tennis team (10-11, 2-8 ACC) dropped a close battle, 4-3, to No. 20 NC State (13-5, 6-2 ACC) on Friday evening at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.

Junior Martin Katz picked up his highest-ranked win of the season, taking down No. 51 Robin Catry at the top court.

The Hurricanes started the match strong, clinching the doubles point over the Wolfpack with dominant court wins. The No. 72 ranked duo of Adrien Burdet and Vladislav Melnic nearly shutout Joseph Wayand and Luca Staeheli, 6-1, on court two. Yannik Rahman and Nacho Serra Sanchez then clinched the doubles point, 6-3, over Braden Shick and Fons Van Sambeek at the No. 3 spot.

Katz then opened singles with his stellar win, taking down No. 51 Catry, 6-3, 6-0, at the top spot to extend the lead 2-0. NC State notched three consecutive courts to take the lead. No. 103 Luca Staeheli defeated Melnic, 6-2, 6-4, on court three, before No. 82 Shick grabbed the 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win on court two against Prat.

Putting them only one court away, Jakub Katuch claimed court six, 7-6 (6), 6-3. Miami’s Serra Sanchez tied the match at three-all after a win at the No. 5 spot over Salvestre, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4. Coming down to the final court, Burdet battled with No. 66 Fons Van Sambeek, but ultimately fell 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-1.

The Hurricanes are back at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center on April 7 to face No. 6 Wake Forest.