Tulane University
USF
CHAMPIONS! Men's Tennis Dethrones USF to Claim First American Athletic Conference Crown
Apr 22, 2018 | Men's Tennis
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | PHOTO GALLERY
DALLAS – The reign is over. After the first four American Athletic Conference Men's Tennis Championships were won by USF, the second-seeded Tulane men's tennis team defeated the fifth-seeded Bulls, 4-3, to win its first conference title in 13 years on Sunday afternoon at Turpin Stadium on the campus of SMU.
Senior Constantin Schmitz was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after posting a 2-0 singles record from the No. 1 spot in the lineup.
"It's pretty humbling after all the hard work the guys have put in and the investments we've received from our administration and community," head coach and director of tennis Mark Booras said. "Everything that surrounds us is a part of this championship after nine and a half years in the making."
The men's tennis title heads to New Orleans! @American_DN's Hali Oughton caught up with @GreenWaveMTenn head coach Mark Booras to talk about his team's historic victory! ?? pic.twitter.com/mgAMx6KLzh
— American Tennis (@American_Tenn) April 22, 2018
Tulane would take all the momentum back in singles however, notching the first set on four courts. Freshman Hamish Stewart continued his dominance in tournament play and began the rally with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory from the No. 3 position for his fifth consecutive victory.
Ranked 14th nationally, Schmitz kept his winning streak alive and put the Green Wave ahead, 2-1, in the overall match with his 11th straight win, 6-4, 6-3, over 67th-ranked Alberto Barroso-Campos at the No. 1 spot. The Remagen, Germany native improves to 18-4 in dual matches and earned his 12th win over a top-100 player this season.
The conference championship MOP award went to @GreenWaveMTenn's No. 1 singles winner Constantin Schmitz! What a performance by the senior!
— American Tennis (@American_Tenn) April 22, 2018
Interview ?? pic.twitter.com/Ugp38Lpben
Playing at No. 4 singles, Luis Erlenbusch extended the Wave's lead to 3-1 when he rallied back from a 4-3 second-set deficit to win, 6-1, 6-4.
The Bulls would not go down without a fight however, cutting into the deficit with a straight-set victory on court five, followed by a tough, three-set win on court two to draw the team score even, 3-3.
That left No. 6 singles as the only remaining match, where Tim Ruetzel held the upper hand after scoring a 6-3 first-set win. Forced into a second-set tiebreak, Ruetzel held an early 3-2 edge, but USF's Sean Burnette responded by winning five of the next seven points to win it, 7-5, and force a decisive third frame.
Ruetzel remained unfazed by the magnitude of the moment, with both team's players lined up cheering on their teammates on the adjacent court, flipping sides after the switch every two games. The Munich, Germany native pulled ahead early, forcing a break for a 3-1 lead.
Holding the one break advantage and serving for the clinch and the score 5-4 in Ruetzel's favor, Burnette broke back to tie the set, 5-5. Ruetzel came right back, breaking Burnette's serve to take the 6-5 edge and with the ball back in his hand to serve for the win.
Ruetzel would win the first three points for a commanding 40-0 advantage in the game, before a rally in the subsequent point. Burnette eventually made his move, charging the net and planting himself in the middle after striking a ball into Ruetzel's right corner, but he struck the perfect, cross-court forehand past Burnette and inside the far sideline to seal it, as the Green Wave stormed the court to celebrate around Ruetzel.
#29 Tulane 4, South Florida 3
Singles competition
1. #14 Constantin Schmitz (TLN) def. #67 A. Barroso-Campos (USF) 6-4, 6-3
2. Peter Bertran (USF) def. #105 Ewan Moore (TLN) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
3. Hamish Stewart (TLN) def. Grayson Goldin (USF) 6-3, 6-3
4. Luis Erlenbusch (TLN) def. Pierre Luquet (USF) 6-1, 6-4
5. Jakub Wojcik (USF) def. Tyler Schick (TLN) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
6. Tim Ruetzel (TLN) def. Sean Burnette (USF) 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5
Doubles competition
1. #52 Ewan Moore/Constantin Schmitz (TLN) vs. #76 A. Barroso-Campos/Grayson Goldin (USF) 5-3, unfinished
2. Pierre Luquet/Sean Burnette (USF) def. Tyler Schick/Hamish Stewart (TLN) 6-4
3. Peter Bertran/Jakub Wojcik (USF) def. Luis Erlenbusch/Tim Ruetzel (TLN) 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (3,1,4,5,2,6)
Players Mentioned
