Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's tennis team started its 2022 campaign in style by cruising past visiting North Carolina Central, 7-0, in a non-conference match inside of the frigid Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center Friday.
MATCH RESULTS
Despite the chilly temperatures, the Spartans heated up the facility with an efficient and dominant effort. For UNCG, it was a terrific finish to a day that started with the news of its first match against Kennesaw State was canceled.
Hugh Knapp slammed his racquet to the court and screamed after securing match point to officially conclude UNCG's first shutout since April 8, 2018, against The Citadel. UNCG had two shutouts during the 2018 campaign.
UNCG had seven players secure victories during the match.
Nico Grewe and Andrew Zuckerman led the way for UNCG with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively, and at No. 1 doubles. The dynamic duo was just happy to be on the court and competing against anybody after learning the Kennesaw State was canceled.
Quotable
Grewe on UNCG's season-opening performance and the playing conditions.
"It was awesome to be out there today. We were all itching to play so we're glad we were able to get at least one match in. Everybody was super ready to start the season. It was good to get a win. Luckily, we practice in here everyday so we knew it would be a little colder than we'd like for it to be. Also, the surface here is faster. Our team brings a lot of energy and we did that today."
Zuckerman on having Grewe as a doubles partner and the overall performance of UNCG.
"It's a shame we didn't get a chance to play against Kennesaw State, but despite that everybody showed up and played well. 7-0 is about as good as you can get. There was more of a buzz today during our match which was cool. It was exciting and we had to keep our emotions in check during the match. Everyone here loves each other. Nico provides a lot of energy. It's fun to be with someone who is charismatic on the court and play next to him. He does shout a lot."
How It Happened
-- The doubles tandem of
Hugh Knapp and
Christopher Johns started the scoring for UNCG with a 6-2 decision at No. 3 doubles.
-- Grewe and Zuckerman followed with a 6-3 victory at No. 1 doubles.
-- Despite being pushed in what was easily the most intense doubles match,
Cooper Wyett and
Roger Rogowski claimed a 7-5 win at No. 2 doubles.
--
David Flisberg started the parade of straight-set victories with a 6-0, 6-2 conquest at No. 6 singles.
-- Knapp played the most exciting match of the day at No. 3 singles.
-- Knapp battled North Carolina Central's Sebastian Pino stroke for stroke, scream for scream, and serve for serve before winning the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-4).
-- The back-and-forth continued in the second set before Knapp finally prevailed, 6-3.
-- Johns and Rogowski also won their singles matches.
Up Next
-- UNCG returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 6 when it hosts UNC Asheville at 1 p.m.
-- The match will be held at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center.
