NC State
Boise State
Pack Comeback Falls Short Against Boise State, 4-3
5/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
May 13, 2006
DURHAM, N.C. - The No. 40 NC State men's tennis team saw its season end with a loss, 4-3, to No. 26 Boise State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, May 13, at Ambler Tennis Stadium on the Duke University campus in Durham, N.C. The Pack rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the match, before the Broncos grabbed the team match point. In defeat, the Wolfpack ends its season at 20-11, while Boise State advances to 21-6.
In doubles play, the Broncos won two matches to stop play early. Steve Robertson and Clancy Shields topped senior Val Banada and freshman Chris Welte, 8-5, at No. 2. Thomas Schoeck and Luke Shields, ranked No. 22 nationally, clinched the doubles advantage for Boise State at No. 1, beating junior William Noblitt and senior Will Shaw, 9-7. At No. 3, Piotrek Dilaj and Eric Roberson were leading sophomore Nick Cavaday and freshman Jay Weinacker, 8-7, when play was halted.
The Broncos kept the momentum as singles began, winning the first two matches off of the court. No. 120 Schoeck stopped Banada, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 2, while Clancy Shields beat Noblitt at No. 3, 6-1, 6-3.
That's when things got interesting.
With Boise State at 3-0 and needing just one point to end the competition, the Pack dug deep and took three straight decisions. Weinacker smoked Dilaj, 6-1, 6-4, at No. 5. At No. 1, Cavaday, currently ranked No. 78 nationally, upset No. 45 Luke Shields in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Shaw then completed a comeback effort over Roberson at No. 4, grabbing the win, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, after struggling in the front frame.
Despite winning the first set over Brent Werbeck, Welte lost at No. 6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, to give Boise State the final tally.
The loss completes a solid season for NC State, which made the tournament for the first time since 1999. During the season, the Pack recorded a program-best 20 wins, defeating six ranked teams along the way, including two in the top-20. Three of the Pack's wins over ranked opponents came on the road.
No. 26 Boise State d. No. 40 NC State, 4-3
Singles
1. No. 78 Cavaday d. No. 45 L. Shields (BSU), 6-3, 6-3
2. No. 120 T. Schoeck (BSU) d. Banada, 6-0, 6-1
3. C. Shields (BSU) d. Noblitt, 6-1, 6-3
4. Shaw d. E. Roberson (BSU), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
5.Weinacker d. P. Dilaj (BSU), 6-1, 6-4
6. B. Werbeck (BSU) d. Welte, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. No. 22 T. Schoeck/L. Shields (BSU) d. Noblitt/Shaw, 9-7
2. S. Robertson/C. Shields (BSU) d. Banada/Welte, 8-5
3. P. Dilaj/E. Roberson (BSU) vs. Cavaday/Weinacker, 8-7 DNF
