North Carolina State University Athletics
No. 52 M. Tennis Upsets No. 33 Michgan 4-3
1/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Raleigh, N.C. - In what came down to the final match, Akash Gujarati defeated Chris Cha, 7-5, 6-2, to propel No. 52 NC State to the upset victory over No. 33 Michigan, 4-3.
The Pack who are young by experience standards, took down a team full of upperclassmen.
"We have five new guys, and they only have two," said coach Jon Choboy. "It took everybody to get this win. The few upperclassmen we have are picking it up. I'm proud of these guys."
Michigan gained the first point of the day in doubles, which was decided in a tie-breaker of the last set. The tandem of Fernando Banos and Jaime Pulgar lost, 8-6, to Chris Madden and Cha. In a back-and-forth contest, Rob Lowe and Frideric Prandecki pulled NC State even, winning 9-8 (6) over Jason Jung and Evan King. The doubles point was decided when the duo of Dominic Hodgson and Dave Thomson lost to George Navas and Mike Srozynski, 9-8 (2).
Pulgar got the Wolfpack started in the right direction during singles, upsetting No. 50 Jason Jung in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. After taking an early lead in the first set Lowe eventually lost to No. 73 Evan King, 7-6 (1), 6-4. Losing the first set didn't deter Hodgson, who rebounded with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, victory over Srocynski.
D. Thomson stayed undefeated in spring singles play, winning 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3, over Navas. Rafael Paez fought from 0-5 in the first set, only to lose 7-5, 6-2.
"We're trying to assemble the best group of guys," said Choboy. "We have a good group of quality people here. The guys root for each other and that goes a long way into helping us win."
The Pack's next match will be a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31 against East Carolina, followed by a 3:30 p.m. match against UNC Charlotte. Fans are asked to park in the West Lot off of Varsity Drive.
Results:
No. 52 NC State 4, No. 33 Michigan 3
Doubles
1. Rob Lowe/Frideric Prandecki (NCSU) d. Jason Jung/Evan King (UM) 9-8 (6)
2. George Navas/Mike Sroczynski (UM) d. Dominic Hodgson/Dave Thomson (NCSU) 9-8 (2)
3. Chris Madden/Chris Cha (UM) d. Fernando Banos/Jaime Pulgar (NCSU) 8-6
Order of finish: 3,1,2
Singles
1. Jaime Pulgar (NCSU) d. No. 50 Jason Jung (UM) 6-4, 6-3
2. No. 73 Evan King (UM) d. Rob Lowe (NCSU) 7-6 (1), 6-4
3. Dominic Hodgson (NCSU) d. Mike Sroczynski (UM) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
4. Dave Thomson (NCSU) d. George Navas (UM) 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3
5. Chris Madden (UM) d. Rafael Paez (NCSU) 7-5, 6-2
6. Akash Gujarati (NCSU) d. Chris Cha (UM) 7-5, 6-2
Order of finish: 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 6*
6* clinched win
