University of Louisville
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Men's Tennis Tops Middle Tennessee 5-2
February 14, 2008 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 14, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's tennis team picked up a big victory Thursday night, defeating No. 55 Middle Tennessee State 5-2 at the Bass Rudd Tennis Center. The Cardinals improve to 7-1 on the season, while the Blue Raiders drop to 4-5.
"We beat a good team today," said U of L head coach Rex Ecarma. "They are extremely strong indoors because of their quick pressure and attack players with good volleys. We knew our return of serves and defensive ability had to lead us to victory today. Our guys are healthy and feel good about the win, and look forward to playing Wisconsin on Saturday. Despite losing his first match of the year, Austen Childs won the longest tiebreaker in U of L history in the second set, 19-17."
The Cards got off to a quick start by picking up the first point of the match in doubles. The No. 1 duo of freshmen Austin Childs and Simon Childs stayed undefeated on the year by beating John Peers and Marc Rocafort 8-4. At No. 2 doubles, junior Robert Rotaru and senior Pablo Camacho defeated Morgan Richard and Richard Cowden 8-3. The Cards dropped the No. 3 match, with sophomores David Simon and Kenneth Nordheim losing to Chris Nowak and Joao Paoliello 8-3.
In singles, top seeded Austin Childs dropped his first dual match of the season to John Peers 6-3, 6-7(17-19), 10-8 - he set a school record for the longest tiebreaker in U of L history in the process. David Simon also went down, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Marc Rocafort in the No. 2 seeded match. At No. 3, freshman Viktor Maksimcuk defeated Richard Cowden 6-4, 7-6(7-3). In the No. 4 seeded match, Simon Childs beat Morgan Richard 6-4, 6-4. Freshman Alejandro Calligari took down Joao Paoliello 7-5, 6-1 in the No. 5 match. Robert Rotaru picked up the win at No. 6, defeating Chris Nowak 6-3, 6-2.
Junior Robert Rotaru, who won in singles and doubles, was named "Player of the day."
The Cards next take on No. 28 Wisconsin at home on Saturday, February 16th.
February 14, 2008. No. 61 Louisville 5 - No. 55 MTSU 2
SINGLES:
1 - John Peers (MTSU) def. Austen Childs (UL) 6-3, 6-7 (17-19), 10-8
2 - Marc Rocafort (MTSU) def. David Simon (UL) 6-3, 6-2
3 - Viktor Maksimcuk (UL) def. Richard Cowden (MTSU) 6-4, 7-6, (7-3)
4 - Simon Childs (UL) def. Morgan Richard (MTSU) 6-4, 6-4
5 - Alejandro Calligari (UL) def. Joao Paoliello (MTSU) 7-5, 6-1
6 - Robert Rotaru (UL) def. Chris Nowak (MTSU) 6-3, 6-2
DOUBLES:
1 - A. Childs/S. Childs (UL) def. Peers/ Rocafort (MTSU) 8-4
2 - Rotaru/Pablo Camacho (UL) def. Richard/Cowden (MTSU) 8-3
3 - Chris Nowak/Paoliello (MTSU) def D. Simon/ Kenneth Nordeim (UL) 8-3
Louisville wins 5-2; Improves record to 7-1
Players Mentioned
