TAMPA, Fla. ? The University of South Florida men's tennis team won their third-straight match Saturday afternoon, defeating the Florida Atlantic Owls, 6-1, at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
The Bulls are now 6-3 on the year with all six victories coming at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
The key to any collegiate tennis match is winning the doubles point and that's just what the Bulls did. They swept all thee doubles matches to take a 1-0 advantage going into singles competition.
“I've been stressing all season how important is to take the doubles point,” said head coach Don Barr. “Tennis is all about confidence and momentum and winning the doubles point will give you both.”
Freshman Lucas Jovita improved to 4-0 at the No. 1 position (6-3 overall) with his victory over Marc Abdelnour, 6-4, 0-6, 6-3.
Senior Mahmoud returned to the courts for the first time in two matches but was unable to pick up a victory at the No. 2 spot. He dropped his match to Oliver Sajous, 7-5, 6-1.
“It was great to see Mahmoud Hamed back on the court,” said Barr. “Even though he didn't pick up the victory, it was still encouraging to see him getting healthy and back on the court.”
Also picking up victories for the Bulls were Jamal Adderley (No. 3), Diego Toledo (No. 4), Thomas Estrada (No. 5) and Daniel Daudt (No. 6)
“This was the most fired up I've seen this team all year,” added Barr. “Winning the doubles point was big and they carried the momentum right into singles and took care of business. I like what I've seen the past three matches and where this team is heading.”
USF will return to the courts on Wednesday, March 5 when it takes on the Villanova Wildcats. The first serve is set for 3 p.m. at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
NCAA Men's Tennis
No. 55 USF 6, No. 74 FAU 1
USF Varsity Tennis Courts
March 1, 2008
Tampa, Fla.
Doubles
1. Estrada/Daudt (USF) def. Abdelnour/Majcher (FAU), 8-3
2. Toledo/Jovita (USF) def. Sajous/Vardaq (FAU), 8-2
3. Adderley/Hamed (USF) def. Harradine/Smith (FAU), 8-4
Singles
1. No. 67 Lucas Jovita (USF) def. Marc Abdelnour (FAU), 6-4, 0-6, 6-3
2. Oliver Sajous (FAU) def. Mahmoud Hamed (USF), 7-5, 6-1
3. Jamal Adderley (USF) def. Corey Smith (FAU), 6-3, 7-5
4. Diego Toledo (USF) def. Daniel Vardaq (FAU), 6-2, 6-2
5. Thomas Estrada (USF) def. Eddie Majcher (FAU), 6-4, 6-1
6. Daniel Daudt (USF) def. Joshua Scholl (FAU), 6-2, 6-4
