Men's Tennis Finally Knocks Off UCF 4-3

Saturday, February 26

Orlando, Fla.

11:00 AM

Florida Atlantic

UCF

2/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

Feb. 26, 2011

Final Stats

Orlando, Fla. - After four straight years of falling to rival UCF by 4-3 scores, the Florida Atlantic University men's tennis team found the sweet taste of victory - by a 4-3 match - on Saturday afternoon in Orlando.

The win improves the team's record to 5-4 on the season with three wins in the last four matches. Also, the Owls have a 4-2 mark against Florida teams and both of the losses came to nationally ranked competitors.

"It took a team effort to get us a tough win on the road over an in-state rival," said Brandon Stokes, FAU's head men's tennis coach. "Our young guys made key plays at crucial times. It's a good feeling to spend the day together on the road and go home with a peaceful mind and invigorated spirit."

With the match tied, 3-3, freshman Oliver Webb rallied in the No. 3 singles match after dropping the opening set, 6-4, to force a third set with a 6-4 victory. The deciding third set went to a tiebreaker before the London, England prevailed by an 11-9 score.

"Oliver saved one match point after trailing 6-5 and then served out the match with an ace to claim the victory for the Owls," said Stokes.

FAU's other points came from No. 1 singles player Marc Abdelnour with a 7-5, 6-2 victory; No. 5 singles player Marc Wakim, a 7-6 (1), 6-3 winner; and the doubles' point with wins by the No. 1 team of senior Ervin Garibovic and Abdelnour, by an 8-4 score, and the freshman No. 2 tandem of Omar El Kheshen and Wakim, pulling out a 9-7 win.

The Owls will take an extended break in the schedule before battling Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on March 9.

Florida Atlantic 4, UCF 3

Singles

No. 1 Marc Abdelnour (FAU) def. Erik Brunskog (UCF) 7-5, 6-2

No. 2 Blaze Schwartz (UCF) def. Daniel Vardag (FAU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

No. 3 Oliver Webb (FAU) def. Leonel Vivas (UCF) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9)

No. 4 Joe Delinks (UCF) def. Derek Madon (FAU) 6-3, 6-2

No. 5 Marc Wakim (FAU) def. Matthew Gladstone (UCF) 7-6 (1), 6-3

No. 6 Mitch Thams (UCF) def. Omar El Kheshen (FAU) 6-0, 6-4

Doubles

No. 1 Abdelnour/Garibovic (FAU) def. Schwartz/Delinks (UCF) 8-4

No. 2 El Kheshen/Wakim (FAU) def. Eugene Dolgovykh/Matthew Zachary (UCF) 9-7