Wolfpack Rally Falls Late at Duke

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men's tennis team dropped a close 5-2 match to Duke Wednesday afternoon at the Ambler Tennis Stadium in Durham, N.C. The Pack attempted a comeback and came within a point of Duke, but fell late in the match.

NC State moves to 9-9 (0-3 ACC), while Duke moves to 9-6 (2-2 ACC) with the win.

Match Recap:
NC State dropped the doubles point and lost early momentum, as Duke claimed wins on courts two and three. The Wolfpack trailed 1-0 in singles play, but mounted a strong comeback attempt to get back into the match.

The Pack worked from the top of the lineup, taking the first set on courts one and two. Ogden also added a first set for the Pack on court six. Duke would claim the first set on courts three, four and five to match the Pack in early singles play.

The Blue Devils extended their lead with straight-set wins on courts three and five. Facing a must-win situation on the four remaining courts, NC State battled back. No. 87 Nick Horton claimed a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 95 Catalin Mataes on court one, bringing the score to 3-1. Michael Ogden added a 7-6, 6-1 victory on court six over Jason Lapidus to bring NC State within a point at 3-2.

However, the Pack's rally came up short as Igor Saveljic fell 6-3, 6-3 on court four to TJ Pura.

After the clincher, No. 92 Alexis Galarneau trailed 5-3 in the final set to No. 76 Spencer Furman, but broke back and eventually tied the final set at 5-5. Galarneau ultimately fell 7-5 in the final set, as Duke took the 5-2 win.

Up Next:
NC State will be back in action Friday, as it welcomes Virginia to the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center.

Tennis Match Results?NC State vs Duke
?Mar 22, 2017 at Durham, N.C.
(Ambler Tennis Stadium)
Duke 5, NC State 2

1. #87 Nick Horton (ST) def. #95 Catalin Mateas (DU) 6-3, 6-3?
2. #76 Spencer Furman (DU) def. #92 Alexis Galarneau (ST) 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
3. Nick Stachowiak (DU) def. Georgiy Malyshev (ST) 6-1, 6-2?
4. TJ Pura (DU) def. Igor Saveljic (ST) 6-3, 6-3?
5. Ryan Dickerson (DU) def. Sean Burnette (ST) 6-1, 6-1?
6. Michael Ogden (ST) def. Jason Lapidus (DU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1

1. Nick Stachowiak/Spencer Furman (DU) vs. #63 Nick Horton/Alexis Galarneau (ST) 4-3, unfinished
2. Jason Lapidus/Ryan Dickerson (DU) def. Ivan Saveljic/Michael Ogden (ST) 6-2
3. Catalin Mateas/TJ Pura (DU) def. Igor Saveljic/Georgiy Malyshev (ST) 6-2

Match Notes:?
NC State 9-9, 0-3 ACC?
Duke 9-6, 2-2 ACC?
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (5,3,1,6,4,2)
Official: Joseph Buys
T-2:46 A-106

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Players Mentioned

Sean Burnette

Alexis Galarneau

Nick Horton

Georgiy Malyshev

Michael Ogden

Igor Saveljic

Ivan Saveljic