Tide Men's Tennis Squad Bounced From NCAA Tournament
5/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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RICHMOND, Va. - The Alabama men’s tennis team ended its season Friday with a 4-0 loss to Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Thalhimer Center in Richmond, Va.
The Crimson Tide finished 10-15 overall on the year and 2-9 in the Southeastern Conference. 24th-ranked Texas A&M upped its record to 23-8 with the win.
The doubles point turned out to be a microcosm of Alabama’s season. After an 8-3 loss at No. 1, the No. 2 doubles duo broke to go up 7-6 before senior Chris Gostek served out the match for the 8-6 win.
At No. 3 doubles Joseph Jung and RJ Murray broke early in the match, but found themselves trailing 7-4 after string of five straight games by the Aggie duo. Jung and Murray fought back in the match, and at one point had a serve to even the match at 7-7, but could not complete the comeback.
“It’s no different than some of the other disappointments we’ve had this year,” Alabama head coach Billy Pate said. “We were a point away from changing the momentum, but we have to be accountable for not taking advantages of the chances we get.”
In singles, the Tide won two first sets, and couldn’t hold off the strong Aggie singles bill. Bryan Wooten scored the first win over freshman Mike Green, and 31st ranked Ante Matijevic dispatched Gostek, 6-2, 6-2. No. 13 Lester Cook finished things off with a 7-6, 6-3 win over Stephen Mitchell.
“Our seniors have set a good standard for us in the future and I’m excited about working diligently and remembering this match as motivation for us next season. Texas A&M had an exceptional one-two punch at the top of their lineup and I give them credit for playing a great match. They certainly presented us a great challenge.”
Stephen Mitchell will play in the NCAA Individual singles tournament beginning in three weeks.
Alabama 0, Texas A&M 4
Singles
1. Lester Cook (A&M) d. Stephen Mitchell (UA) 7-6 (4), 6-3
2. Ante Matijevic (A&M) d. Chris Gostek (UA) 6-2, 6-2
3. Joseph Jung (UA) vs. Mohamed Bakki (A&M) 7-5, 1-6, 1-0 susp.
4. Eric Molnar (UA) vs. Khaled El Dorry (A&M) 7-6 (2), 2-1 susp.
5. RJ Murray (UA) vs. Brett Joelson (A&M) 5-7, 4-4 susp.
6. Bryan Wooten (A&M) d. Mike Green (UA) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles
1. Cook/Matijevic (A&M) d. Mitchell/Green (UA) 8-3
2. Gostek/Molnar (UA) d. Zack Malmgren/Marvin Rolle (A&M) 8-6
3. Joelson/Wooten (A&M) d. Jung/Murray 8-6
