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UNCG falls at Georgia, 4-0, in first round of NCAA Tournament
ATHENS, Ga. - Eleventh-seeded Georgia snapped a three-match losing streak and ended UNC Greensboro's first-ever NCAA Men's Tennis Tournament trip with a 4-0 win in first round action at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs won a pair of doubles matches and then rolled through three singles victories to advance to Sunday's second round, where they will face Florida State, a 4-0 winner over Boise State in Saturday's first match.
UNCG finished the season 17-6, its best mark since 2001-02 when it went 18-5, winning the SoCon regular season title before falling in the tournament semifinals. Just two seasons ago, the team finished with a 3-20 record.
The Bulldogs (18-7) claimed the doubles point by winning at No. 1 and 2 doubles. The No. 32-ranked tandem of Javier Garrapiz and Nate Schnugg overcame a slow start to down Orcun Seyrek and Kyle Eddins, 8-3, at No. 1 doubles. Jamie Hunt and Christian Vitulli shutout Timion Meijs and William John at No. 2 doubles, 8-0, to close out the point. UNCG's Jacob Wright and Yaroslav Litus held a 7-2 lead over Drake Bernstein and Will Reynolds when play was halted.
Georgia, ranked No. 12 in the ITA team rankings, shifted into another gear as singles play began. Javier Garrapiz, who is ranked No. 22 in the ITA individual rankings, rolled past Orcun Seyrek, 6-0 and 6-1, at No. 1 singles, while No. 75 Nate Schnugg handled Jacob Wright at No. 2 singles by identical 6-1 scores. Seyrek's setback was just his second in his last 21 matches.
The Bulldogs closed out the match when Christian Vitulli defeated Kyle Eddins, also by 6-1 and 6-1.
UNCG earned a spot in the tournament for the first time ever when it won the Southern Conference Tournament title three weeks ago - its first conference tournament title since 1995. NCAA automatic bids were not attached to conference championships at that time.
Georgia, which advanced to the Elite Eight last season and won consecutive national titles in 2007 and 2008, may not have to leave home in a quest for a seventh national title. After hosting the first two rounds this weekend, the Bulldogs are the host of the final four rounds of matches, consisting of 16 teams, next week.
AGATE
Singles
1. #22 Javier Garrapiz (UGA) def. Orcun Seyrek (UNCG), 6-0, 6-1
2. #75 Nate Schnugg (UGA) def. Jacob Wright (UNCG), 6-1, 6-1
3. Jamie Hunt (UGA) vs. Yaroslav Litus (UNCG), 6-3, 4-1, unfinished
4. #115 Drake Bernstein (UGA) vs. Timion Meijs (UNCG), 6-4, 1-2, unfinished
5. Christian Vitulli (UGA) def. Kyle Eddins (UNCG), 6-1, 6-1
6. William John (UNCG) vs. Will Reynolds (UGA), 6-3, 1-1, unfinished
Doubles
1. #32 Javier Garrapiz/Nate Schnugg (UGA) def. Orcun Seyrek/Kyle Eddins (UNCG), 8-3
2. Jamie Hunt/Christian Vitulli (UGA) def. Timion Meijs/William John (UNCG), 8-0
3. Jacob Wright/Yaroslav Litus (UNCG) vs. Drake Bernstein/Will Reynolds (UGA), 7-2, unfinished
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