The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
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No. 19 Men's Tennis falls to No. 9 Texas Tech, 5-2
04.22.2016 | Men's Tennis
Longhorns begin tournament play at the Big 12 Championships next Friday.
LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 19 Texas registered a pair of singles wins from senior Michael Riechmann and redshirt freshman Julian Zlobinsky, but No. 9 Texas Tech (25-4, 3-1 Big 12) came away with a 5-2 win over the Longhorns (17-10, 1-4 Big 12) Friday evening at Tech's McLeod Tennis Center.
"It was a tough match," said 16th-year UT head coach Michael Center. "Obviously, Texas Tech has an outstanding team, and there's a reason they're in the top 10 (nationally). We fought them really, really hard."
The Horns counted a doubles win from the tandem of sophomore Adrian Ortiz and redshirt freshman Julian Zlobinsky, who defeated Tech's Connor Curry and Felipe Soares at second doubles, 6-2. However, Texas Tech won doubles contests at the first and third positions to lock up the doubles point and assume a 1-0 lead.
"There were a couple of things in doubles that didn't go our way, and that was unfortunate, but I thought the guys rebounded in the singles," Center said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win."
Texas evened the tally at one behind Riechmann's 7-5, 6-2 win over Curry at fifth singles. Texas Tech reclaimed the lead for the duration of the match by way of Alex Sendegeya's 6-3, 6-4 win over UT's Ortiz at third singles.
The Red Raiders extended their lead to 3-1 behind Hugo Dojas' 6-4, 7-6 win over UT freshman Harrison Scott at second singles. Texas pulled within 3-2 after Zlobinsky held on for a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win over Bjorn Thomson at sixth singles.
Texas Tech clinched the team win at first singles when its 20th-ranked Soares held off UT junior George Goldhoff, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3. The Red Raiders closed out their 5-2 win when Jolan Cailleau sealed a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over UT freshman Rodrigo Banzer at fourth singles.
"Tech has two All-Americans at the top who scored on us, but we were outstanding tonight at Nos. 5 and 6 singles," Center added. "I give a lot of credit to our guys. They've gone through a rugged season. We've played a great schedule, and the guys have improved and fought hard. We'll go back to work and get ready for the postseason starting next week."
Texas begins tournament play at the Big 12 Championships next Friday (April 29) at Oklahoma State. UT's quarterfinal opponent will be announced on Sunday.
No. 9 Texas Tech 5, No. 19 Texas 2
Doubles – Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
1 No. 85 Alex Sendegeya/Bjorn Thomson (TT) def. George Goldhoff/Michael Riechmann (UT), 6-3
2 Adrian Ortiz/Julian Zlobinsky (UT) def. Connor Curry/Felipe Soares (TT), 6-2
3 Carlos DiLaura/Hugo Dojas (TT) def. John Mee/Harrison Scott (UT), 6-3
Singles – Order of Finish: 5, 3, 2, 6, 1, 4
1 No. 20 Felipe Soares (TT) def. No. 64 George Goldhoff (UT), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3
2 No. 110 Hugo Dojas (TT) def. Harrison Scott (UT), 6-4, 7-6 (3)
3 Alex Sendegeya (TT) def. Adrian Ortiz (UT), 6-3, 6-4
4 No. 119 Jolan Cailleau (TT) def. Rodrigo Banzer (UT), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
5 Michael Riechmann (UT) def. Connor Curry (TT), 7-5, 6-2
6 Julian Zlobinsky (UT) def. Bjorn Thomson (TT), 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
Players Mentioned
