January 26, 2013

Men's Tennis Has Strong Day Two at Army Challenge

WEST POINT, N.Y. – UNCG's men's tennis program dominated on day two of the Army Challenge, Friday, Jan. 26, in West Point, N.Y. The Spartans ended the day winning seven out of seven singles matches and two of four doubles matches.

"I think we improved this weekend," said head coach Thomas Mozur. "Ahmet and Jimmy Dougherty lead the way going 6-0 in matches. Now it's time to focus on Coastal Carolina."

The Spartan's started the day facing Gardner-Webb in singles on day two of the Army Challenge.

Junior Ahmet Sarioglu (Ankara, Turkey / METU Development Foundation) defeated Adam Knutsson-Sunblad, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, while freshman James Dougherty (Melbourne, Australia) picked up an easy 6-0, 6-1 victory against Roman Piftor.

Freshman Gaston Murray (Lake Worth, Fla. / Park Vista) took down Benjamin Kaszas, 6-4, 6-4, before sophomore Randy Phillips (Snellville, Ga. / Brookwood) won 7-5, 6-2 against Ernest Alberch.

Freshman Daniel Mack (Lakeland, Fla. / Lakeland) beat Matt Parker, 6-2, 6-4, while classmate William Albright (Greensboro, N.C. / Grimsley) won in three sets 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Brendan Dempsey.

Junior Jimmy Roueche (Greensboro, N.C. / Grimsley) dueled Joao Poli to win 6-4, 6-4.

Next in events, UNCG took on Gardner-Webb in doubles play.

Dougherty and Phillips teamed up to win 8-3 against Parker and Alberch, while Sarioglu and Mack defeated Knutsson and Kaszas, 8-4.

Albright and Roueche doubled up against Piftor and Dempsey, but fell 8-4. Sophomore Cameron Smith (Jamestown, N.C. / Ragsdale) and Murray fought hard in a tiebreaker, but dropped the match 8-7 (8-6).

The Blue and Gold ended the day playing Army in singles, winning six out of seven matches.

Sarioglu took down Peter Sienko, 6-2, 6-4, while Dougherty won in a second-set tiebreaker against Rashad Shelton, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).

Murray defeated Austin McCassin, 6-4, 6-0. Phillips lost in three sets to Caison Best, 6-4, 0-6, 7-5.

Mack fought to win 7-6 (7-4), 6-1, while Smith earned a Spartan victory against Joey Hatala, 6-4, 6-4. Freshman James Flynn (Plantation, Fla. / American Heritage) also picked up a win against Ron Verano, 6-2, 6-2.

The Spartans will conclude play at the Army Challenge, Sunday, Jan. 27, beginning at 9 a.m.

2013 Army Challenge (Day Two)

Singles

Ahmet Sarioglu (UNCG) def. Adam Knutsson-Sunblad(GW), 7-6(5), 6-3

Jimmy Dougherty (UNCG) def. Roman Piftor (GW), 6-0, 6-1

Gaston Murray (UNCG) def. Benjamin Kaszas (GW), 6-4, 6-4

Randy Phillips (UNCG) def. Ernest Alberch (GW), 7-5, 6-2

Danny Mack (UNCG) def. Matt Parker (GW), 6-2, 6-4

Will Albright (UNCG) def. Brendan Dempsey (GW), 2-6, 6-4, 6-2

Jimmy Roueche (UNCG) def. Joao Poli (GW), 6-4, 6-4

Ahmet Sarioglu (UNCG) def. Peter Sienko (Army),6-2, 6-4

Jimmy Dougherty (UNCG) def. Rashad Shelton (Army), 6-1, 7-6(5)

Gaston Murray (UNCG) def. Austin McCasin (Army), 6-4, 6-0

Caison Best (Army) def. Randy Phillips (UNCG), 6-4, 0-6, 7-5

Danny Mack (UNCG) Ben Davies (Army), 7-6(4), 6-1

Cameron Smith (UNCG) def. Joey Hatala (Army), 6-4, 6-4

James Flynn (UNCG) Ron Verano (Army), 6-2, 6-2

Doubles

Doughtery/Phillips (UNCG) def. Parker/Alberch (GW), 8-3

Sarioglu/Mack (UNCG) def. Knutsson/Kaszas (GW), 8-4

Piftor/Dempsey (GW) def. Albright/Roueche (UNCG), 8-4

Walker/Poli (GW) def. Smith/Murray (UNCG), 8-7(6)

- UNCG -