LAS VEGAS—The second-ranked Barry University men’s tennis team completed a grueling stretch of six matches in eight days with a hard-fought 6-3 win over the #19 Hilltoppers of St. Edward’s University at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas on Monday.
The Bucs (13-1) had to battle back from a 3-0 deficit after losing all three doubles. Barry’s ninth-ranked pair of Emanuel Fraitzl and Max Wimmer were upset 8-4 by Boris Barrios and Mick Walter at number one. The Hilltoppers (5-5) claimed the bottom two flights by identical 8-5 scores, with Brett Powers and Ned Boone beating Andrew Sharnov and Ales Svieglj at number two and Justin Raiti and Ryan Wiggins prevailing over Marco Mokrzycki and Jakub Fejfar at number three.
On the short end of the score after doubles, the Bucs wasted little time getting back in the match once singles play began. Sharnov made quick work of Bernard Lancaster 6-0, 6-2 at number five after failing to win the last two matches against him. At number six, Sergio Velez rolled over Wiggins 6-2, 6-1.
At the middle flights, #15 Sviglej overpowered Raiti 6-3, 6-3 at number three, while #34 Wimmer gave the Bucs the lead at number four, 6-4, 6-4 over Walter.
With the match on the line, the final two matches went to third sets. At number one, #11 Mokrzycki lost the first set to Boone 3-6, but rallied to take the last two sets by the same score. With the team match in the bag, #33 Fraitzl completed the singles sweep with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over #42 Powers.
The Bucs return to South Florida and will face the NAIA #1-ranked Senators of Auburn-Montgomery in Melbourne, Fla., on Thursday, Mar. 18.
Tennis Match Results
St. Edwards vs Barry
03/15/10 at Las Vegas, Nev.
(Darling Tennis Center)
#2 Barry 6, #19 St. Edwards 3
Singles competition
1. #11 Marco Mokrzycki (BUM) def. Ned Boone (SEU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. #33 Emanuel Fraitzl (BUM) def. #42 Brett Powers (SEU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. #15 Ales Svigelj (BUM) def. Justin Raiti (SEU) 6-2, 6-3
4. #34 Max Wimmer (BUM) def. Mick Walter (SEU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Andrew Sharnov (BUM) def. Bernard Lancaster (SEU) 6-0, 6-2
6. Sergio Velez (BUM) def. Ryan Wiggins (SEU) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Boris Barrios/Mick Walter (SEU) def. #9 Emanuel Fraitzl/Max Wimmer (BUM) 8-4
2. Brett Powers/Ned Boone (SEU) def. Andrew Sharnov/Ales Svigelj (BUM) 8-5
3. Justin Raiti/Ryan Wiggins (SEU) def. Marco Mokrzycki/Jakub Fejfar (BUM) 8-5
Match Notes:
St. Edwards 5-5; National ranking #19
Barry 13-1; National ranking #2