North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
No. 34 Northwestern
Wolfpack Defeats Northwestern In 4-3 Thriller
1/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
RALEIGH, N.C. - The No. 28 NC State men's tennis team started its dual season with an opening #STATEment win against No. 34 Northwestern. After losing the previous two matches to the Wildcats, the Wolfpack triumphed in a 4-3 thriller.
The Pack got off to a quick start in the match by winning the doubles point. No. 19 Robbie Mudge and Ian Dempster led the way defeating Alex Pasareanu and Mihir Kumar, 6-3. Austin Powell and Simon Norenius followed behind them with a 6-2 win to clinch the point. In singles play, Powell gave the Pack its second straight point after quickly defeating Northwestern's Logan Staggs, 6-1, 6-2.
However the Wildcats would come back as they rattled off three straight wins to put State in two must-win matches in fifth and sixth singles. The Pack's depth would be the difference.
Turning Point: After winning the first set comfortably, Norenius fell behind 3-2 in the second set. He would trade points with Northwestern's Fedor Baev to tie the match at 6-6. In a best of seven tiebreaker, Norenius came out on top after scoring the final two points to win his match, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) and tie the overall match at 3-3.
On Court 4, Thomas Weigel held momentum throughout the match. Shortly after Norenius' win, Weigel clinched the victory for the Pack by winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0.
Weigel wins it! State defeats Northwestern 4-3 and makes a very important opening #STATEment.
-- PackMensTennis (@PackMensTennis) January 16, 2015
Choboy's Comments:
"It feels good. We knew they were going to be good, but we are experienced and that was a big thing that helped get us through. The coaching staff Mat, Chris and Steve worked really hard to keep these guys prepared and that showed today. This win came from being well prepared."
Up Next:
It is a quick turnaround for the team as NC State hosts Michigan State and NC Central in a doubleheader on Sunday. The match against Michigan State will start at 1 p.m., while NC Central will follow at 6 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
Northwestern vs NC State
Jan 16, 2015 at Raleigh, N.C.
(J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center)
#27 NC State 4, #34 Northwestern 3
Singles competition
1. Sam Shropshire (NU) def. #123 Robbie Mudge (ST) 7-6 (9-7), 6-3
2. #51 Austin Powell (ST) def. Logan Staggs (NU) 6-1, 6-2
3. #108 Strong Kirchheimer (NU) def. #39 Nick Horton (ST) 7-5, 6-4
4. Mihir Kumar (NU) def. Ian Dempster (ST) 6-4, 6-4
5. Simon Norenius (ST) def. Fedor Baev (NU) 6-1, 7-6 (7-5)
6. Thomas Weigel (ST) def. Alex Pasareanu (NU) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #19 Ian Dempster/Robbie Mudge (ST) def. Alex Pasareanu/Mihir Kumar (NU) 6-3
2. Austin Powell/Simon Norenius (ST) def. Sam Shropshire/Logan Staggs (NU) 6-2
3. Strong Kirchheimer/Fedor Baev (NU) vs. Nick Horton/Thomas Weigel (ST) no result
Match Notes:
Northwestern 0-1; National ranking #34
NC State 1-0; National ranking #28
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,4,1,3,5,6)
T-2:54 A-179
Players Mentioned
