Alabama Men's Tennis Falls on Road to Rice
2/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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No. 36 Alabama (4-1) dropped its first match of the season on Saturday, 5-2 to No. 31 Rice.
It was a tough day for Alabama. The Crimson Tide started slow by losing all three doubles matches and subsequently, the doubles point for the first time this season. At the No. 1 position in singles, Luigi D’Agord (20-5) lost for the first time in four matches and the first time this spring.
“We came out very slow today and didn’t have the type of energy we needed in doubles and it carried over into singles,” head coach Billy Pate said. “By the time we were able to change the momentum it was a little too late. Hopefully we’ll work hard this week and get ready for Virginia.”
The two wins for Alabama on the day came from No. 92 Joseph Jung (10-5), who defeated Ben Harknett, and freshmen Javier Bes (3-1), who defeated Jason Mok in straight sets.
Alabama will be back in action next weekend with a pair of matches. Friday night the Tide will play Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. and will take on William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. on Sunday.
No. 31 Rice 5, No. 36 Alabama 2
Doubles
1) Harknett/Searle (RU) def. D'Agord/Struyf (UA), 8-4
2) Haerle/Filip Zivojinovic (RU) def. Molnar/Bes (UA), 8-5
3) Mok/Morita (RU) def. Murray/Mertz (UA), 8-3
Singles
1) Robert Searle (RU) def. No. 31 Luigi D'Agord (UA), 7-5 (6), 7-6 (2)
2) Tony Haerle (RU) def. Eric Molnar (UA), 6-4, 6-2
3) No. 92 Joseph (UA) def. Ben Harknett (RU), 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
4) Javier Bes (UA) def. Jason Mok (RU), 7-6, 6-4
*5) Ralph Knupfer (RU) def. Andrew Felsenthal (RU), 7-5, 6-4
6) Hooney Shin (RU) def. Billy Mertz (UA), 6-4, 6-2
missed the doubles order, but singles finish was: 2, 6, 5*, 4, 1 , 3
