Tulane University
Jacksonville State
Men's Tennis Sweeps Jacksonville State
Jan 22, 2011 | Men's Tennis
Jan. 22, 2011
NEW ORLEANS - Tulane's men's tennis team began the 2011 spring season on the right track with a 7-0 victory over Jacksonville State on Saturday afternoon and the Goldring Tennis Center.
The Green Wave (1-0) did not drop a set in the sweep and won all three doubles matches in one set as well.
"Today's match was a great start for us," Tulane head coach Mark Booras said. "It had all of the traditional challenging characteristics of opening day, excitement, nerves, and uncertainty, but our guys did a god job of sticking to the game plans and working their way into their matches to find their rhythm and overcome those challenges. I was real pleased with the way they all competed after almost two months off of competition and only two weeks of practice since they've been back at school."
Newcomer Radu Ionescu made an impact for Tulane in his first appearance. The senior transfer from Nicholls State defeated Jacksonville State's (0-1) Axel Sundberg, 6-4, 6-0, on court two to give Tulane the victory with the fourth point of the afternoon.
Idan Mark, playing in his first dual match for the Green Wave, defeated JSU's Brian Kenyon, 6-4, 6-2, on court one to complete the 7-0 sweep, while Joe Young got earned Tulane's second point of the afternoon with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Nenad Marcec on court three.
Shaye Wali defeated Igor Santos, 7-5, 6-3, on court four, while Rodrigo Rappaccioli got past Gustavo Holz, 6-1, 6-3, on court five and Adam Bernstein on, 6-2, 6-4, over Felipe Watanabe on court six.
Tulane took the doubles point to open the match with the pair of Wali and freshman Takuma Ohashi defeating Igor Santos and Watanabe, 8-5, on court three. Bernstein and Rappaccoili pair up on court two to get past Marcec and Sundberg, 8-5, to secure the point, while Mark and Ionescu defeated Kenyon and Holz, 8-4, on court one for the straight set sweep.
"It was also great to see the play of the new guys in the lineup," Booras added. "Takuma fared well in doubles, and Idan and Radu had solid showings in singles and doubles. I like the options that we have with our new depth and look forward to getting production from all of our new guys and second year guys as well throughout the year."
Tulane will be back in action on Sunday at 1 p.m. CST when they host Alcorn State at the Goldring Tennis Center.
Players Mentioned
