TAMPA (March 12)- No. 23 University of South Florida Men's Tennis team defeated No. 35 Penn with a score of 5-2 on Wednesday. In a battle that lasted almost four hours, the Bulls (13-3) outlasted the Quakers (14-4) for the fourth time in program history.
 
The Bulls took the doubles point over the Quakers, starting with a win on Court 1 delivered by Hugo Car and Stepan Mruzek with a score of 6-4. A win on Court 2 by Ben Hudson and AAC Player of the Week, Toto Llanes of 7-6 (7-4) clinched the doubles point for the Bulls.
 
Gughi Verdese started off strong with a 6-0, 7-6 (7-3) win on Court 4 to give the Bulls another point. Penn battled back, but Agustin Cuellar responded with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph on Court 2 to push the Bulls back up. Penn took another court, making the score USF 3, Penn 2. With two very close courts in progress, Car stepped up with a huge win of 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6) on Court 1. Elijah Cham followed with a win on Court 3 of 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-0 to end the match.
 
The Bulls continue their hot streak, winning ten out of the last 11 matches. Three of the wins were ranked wins; including a win over UCF, ranked No. 13 at the time, to give the Bulls their highest-ranking win in over 10 years. The Bulls move up to 5-1 at home as they continue their four-match home stand on Friday. In singles, Car has moved up to 11-1 and extends his 11-game win streak. Cuellar remains undefeated with an 11-0 record. Verdese is 11-4, Mruzek is 9-2, and Cham is 9-4.
 
UP NEXT
The Bulls return home on Friday, March 14 to face off against the UT Arlington Mavericks (7-6). This will be the first match-up for the pair in program history.
 
About USF Men's Tennis
Be sure to follow USF men's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
Head coach Ashley Fisher is in his ninth year at the helm of the program for the 2024-25 season. Fischer has guided the Bulls to four NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the second round. He was named the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2017 & 2019 after leading USF to the conference title in each of those seasons.
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