BY KELSIE EBERLY

TAMPA- The USF men's tennis team stole one match from #16 Auburn, but it wasn't enough to get past the top-ranked team as they fell 6-1 on Sunday.

Freshman Oliver Pramming has sure had success against top-ranked teams thus far this season, being the only one to get a victory against the Tigers. Pramming was the solo winner back on Jan. 22 in the matchup against the #2 team in the country, Virginia.

The freshman from Copenhagen, Denmark, playing at the number six singles spot on Sunday, defeated Auburn's Rafael Rondino in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Another new face, freshman Ravi Patel, who came in the spring from London, England, played a tough match against his opponent Daniel Cochrane. Patel battled, but lost in a third set tiebreak, 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-4).

Head coach Don Barr had to mix things up in the lineup Sunday without his usual one and two singles, senior Wael Kilani and sophomore Federico Sabogal.

Senior Yannick Yoshizawa, getting the chance to play one singles and got the tough job of facing #18 Andreas Mies. Yoshizawa lost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

"Without two of our top guys in the singles lineup, I thought our guys really put in a great effort today," said Barr. "Our guys are really starting to understand how to play against top-ranked teams. I'm encouraged with how things are and I'm starting to feel comfortable with getting a good lineup."

In doubles, it was Yoshizawa and Pramming with a tight battle in the number one spot. They would lose their serve only once to fall 8-6 to Auburn's number one team of Alex Stamchev and Daniel Cochrane.

Barr thinks that having played all five ranked opponents in the first five matchups in the season will pay off in the end.

"The level of play that our guys have had to prepare for is really making them learn a lot, especially the freshman," said Barr. "Even with the loss, I really saw some bright spots today and we are encouraged moving forward."

The Bulls are ready for their next challenge when they face in-state rival Miami next weekend. That match takes place in Miami on Saturday, Feb. 18 at noon.

Singles competition

1. #18 Andreas Mies (AU) def. Yannick Yoshizawa (USF) 6-2, 6-3

2. Alex Stamchev (AU) def. J.C.  Acuna Gerard (USF) 6-3, 6-1

3. Dennis Lengsfeld (AU) def. Lucas Marin-Salcedo (USF) 6-3, 6-4

4. Daniel Cochrane (AU) def. Ravi Patel (USF) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-4)

5. Lukas Ollert (AU) def. Guillermo de Vilchez (USF) 6-3, 6-2

6. Oliver Pramming (USF) def. Rafael Rondino (AU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

Doubles competition

1. Alex Stamchev/Daniel Cochrane (AU) def. Oliver Pramming/Yannick Yoshizawa (USF) 8-6

2. Andreas Mies/Lukas Ollert (AU) def. Wael Kilani/Sebastian Hagn (USF) 8-2

3. Dennis Lengsfeld/Lucas Lopasso (AU) def. Lucas Marin-Salcedo/Ravi Patel (USF) 8-3