NC State
Alabama
Eighth-Ranked Wolfpack Defeats Alabama 4-2 in ITA Kickoff
1/22/2021 2:58:00 PM | Men's Tennis
RALEIGH - The NC State men's tennis team claimed its first win of the season Friday, defeating Alabama 4-2 in the first round of the ITA Kickoff weekend.
The Wolfpack awaits the outcome of the second match of the day to find out who it plays at 2 p.m. Saturday.
DOUBLES
The Wolfpack secured two wins in doubles play to get the doubles point and go up 1-0 on the Crimson Tide.
No. 23 Alexis Galarneau and Robert Turzak got the first victory of the dual match season, defeating Patrick Kaukovalta and Riccardo Roberto 6-4.
Moments later, it was ninth-ranked Yannai Barkai and Tadas Babelis who claimed the 6-3 win over Edson Ortiz and Marcelo Sepulveda Garza.
SINGLES
NC State got off to a strong start in singles action, claiming the first set on all four courts. Rafa Izquierdo Luque, No. 95 Babelis and Barkai each won their first set 6-4 while No. 7 Galarneau took his 7-5.
Seventh-ranked Galarneau was the first member of the Wolfpack to victory, taking down Kaukovalta 7-5, 6-2 and was quickly followed by Barkai's 6-4, 6-4 win over Roberto. Barkai's win put the Wolfpack one away from clinching the match.
Alabama got on the board with back-back singles wins as Zhe Zhou defeated Izquierdo Luque 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and 89th-ranked Ortiz got the win over No. 95 Babelis 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Sophomore Robin Catry sealed the win for the Wolfpack, defeating Vincent Rettke 6-3, 6-2 to send NC State to the ITA Kickoff Championship match.
STRAIGHT FROM THE PACK: HEAD COACH KYLE SPENCER
"Fantastic effort from the guys today!" said head coach Kyle Spencer. "We knew it would be a good challenge from a tough SEC school like Alabama, especially in our first match of the season. Give Alabama credit for reversing two of the matches.
"It was nice to see many of the things we had been working on over the last couple of weeks come out today. It was great to see so many of the guys having fun and enjoying a good battle! Most importantly, thank you to our staff and everyone in the athletic department for giving us a chance to have a season.
"Tomorrow will be another big challenge in either Mississippi or Tennessee. Pack Risin'!"
UP NEXT
NC State plays in the championship match of the ITA Kickoff weekend at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Wolfpack's opponent will be either 13th-ranked Tennessee or No. 17 Mississippi depending on which teams wins its first match.
FULL RESULTS
No. 8 NC State 4, Alabama 2
Doubles
Order of finish: (2,1)
1. #9 Yannai Barkai/Tadas Babelis (NC State) def. Edson Ortiz/Marcelo Sepulveda Garza (Alabama) 6-3
2. #23 Alexis Galarneau/Robert Turzak (NC State) def. Patrick Kaukovalta/Riccardo Roberto (Alabama) 6-4
3. Robin Catry/Collin Shick (NC State) vs. Gabriel Diaz Freire/Zhe Zhou (Alabama) 2-5, unfinished
Singles
Order of finish: (1,4,2,3,5)
1. No. 7 Alexis Galarneau (NC State) def. Patrick Kaukovalta (Alabama) 7-5, 6-2
2. Zhe Zhou (Alabama) def. Rafa Izquierdo Luque (NC State) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. No. 89 Edson Ortiz (Alabama) def. No. 95 Tadas Babelis (NC State) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
4. Yannai Barkai (NC State) def. Riccardo Roberto (Alabama) 6-4, 6-4
5. Robin Catry (NC State) def. Vincent Rettke (Alabama) 6-3, 6-2
6.Martins Rocens (NC State) vs. Gabriel Diaz Freire (Alabama) 4-6, 2-1, unfinished
#GoPack | @PackMensTennis
Players Mentioned
