Pack Falls to Virginia Tech

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men's tennis team dropped a 4-3 match to Virginia Tech Friday afternoon at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center. The team moves to 9-8 (0-2 ACC), while Virginia Tech improves to 6-6 (1-1 ACC).

Despite the overall result, NC State defeated two ranked singles players and won a match at No. 2 singles to earn its points. Virginia Tech claimed the doubles points and victories at the third, fifth and sixth singles matches to clinch the win.

"We're doing some things that I'm pleased to see us doing. I felt like we competed as a team and we had energy as a team," head coach Jon Choboy said. "I think our young guys especially have to understand to win points, it's a contest every single point. If you are loose for two or three points, generally it's going to cost you a set. You have to be solid point in and point out. We tell the guys the toughest thing they should do is practice. They're going to have to invest more in practice and demand more of themselves. We can win sets, but it's going to take three sets to win some of these matches, and that's just where it has to get better."

Match Recap:
The match went back and forward, as Virginia Tech grabbed the early doubles point in a tie-break on the final match. Igor Saveljic and Georgiy Malyshev won 6-1 on court three to give NC State an advantage in doubles play, however, the Hokies responded with a win on court two. In the deciding match, the VT duo of Jai Corbett and Henrik Korsgaard narrowly edged No. 51 Nick Horton and Alexis Galarneau to win 7-6(7-3).

In singles play, Horton erased Virginia Tech's lead with a straight-set win on court two. However, Virginia Tech would respond with straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to take a 3-1 lead, pulling within a point of clinching. The Pack won two of the remaining three singles matches, including both matches over ranked opposition to close out the match.

No. 116 Galarneau earned his fourth win over a ranked opponent this season with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles over No. 74 Corbett. Malyshev also knocked off a ranked opponent with a 7-5, 6-7(10) 1-0(6) win over No. 107 Korsgaard on court four.

However, Virginia Tech clinched the match with a victory at No. 3 singles, as Mitch Harper downed Igor Saveljic, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 to seal the win.

Up Next:
NC State will travel to Duke for a 3 p.m. match Wednesday at the Ambler Tennis Stadium.

Tennis Match Results Virginia Tech vs NC State
Mar 17, 2017 at Raleigh, N.C.
(J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center)
Virginia Tech 4, NC State 3

1. #116 Alexis Galarneau (ST) def. #74 Jai Corbett (VT) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
2. #73 Nick Horton (ST) def. Alexandre Ribeiro (VT) 6-0, 6-3
3. Mitch Harper (VT) def. Igor Saveljic (ST) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
4. Georgiy Malyshev (ST) def. #107 Henrik Korsgaard (VT) 7-5, 6-7 (10-12), 1-0 (10-6)
5. Jason Kros (VT) def. Michael Ogden (ST) 6-4, 6-3
6. Freddy Mesmer (VT) def. Sean Burnette (ST) 6-3, 7-5

1. Jai Corbett/Henrik Korsgaard (VT) def. #51 Alexis Galarneau/Nick Horton (ST) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Mitch Harper/Alexandre Ribeiro (VT) def. Ivan Saveljic/Michael Ogden (ST) 6-2
3. Igor Saveljic/Georgiy Malyshev (ST) def. Jason Kros/Freddy Mesmer (VT) 6-1

Match Notes:
Virginia Tech 6-6
NC State 10-7
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (2,5,6,3,1,4)

A-113

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Players Mentioned

Sean Burnette

Alexis Galarneau

Nick Horton

Georgiy Malyshev

Michael Ogden

Igor Saveljic

Ivan Saveljic