University of Louisville
NORTH CAROLINA
Men's Tennis Upsets No. 10 North Carolina 5-2
March 20, 2015 | Men's Tennis
Box Score
Alex Gornet on upsetting No. 10 North Carolina
The University of Louisville men's tennis team upset No. 10 North Carolina in ACC action on Friday afternoon at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center. The Cardinals improve to 15-4 overall and 3-2 in ACC play, while the Tar Heels fall to 14-6 (3-1 ACC). The win marks Louisville's first victory over a top 10 team since the Cards defeated No. 5 Baylor 4-2 on Feb. 13, 2010.
"I am ecstatic for this group of players," said UofL head coach Rex Ecarma. "A top 10 win against the elite in the ACC is something to be proud of. We always felt that they were capable of this, but sometimes potential never materializes - today it did. This UNC program has been so good for so long and mentally you have to overcome their great tradition before you even play the first point. I believe this can be the beginning of a second great run for us this season because there is a lot of excitement here."
The Cards took the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. The North Carolina pair of Brett Clark and Robert Kelly defeated Van Damrongsri and Chris Simich 8-5 to start the match in No. 3 doubles, but Alex Gornet and Jeffrey Brown answered at No. 1 by taking down the No. 22-ranked doubles pair of Oystein Steiro and Esben Hess-Olesen 8-5. Sebastian Stiefelmeyer and Albert Wagner overcame a 6-7 deficit to win 8-7 at No. 2 and seal the early 1-0 lead for Louisville.
In singles play, Stiefelmeyer, the nation's top-ranked player, added to the Cards' lead, defeating No. 25 Schneider 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot. Brown then put the Cards up 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Steiro at the No. 6 spot. On court three, Wagner then rallied from down 4-1 in the second set to win five straight games to beat Hess-Olesen 6-4, 6-4 and gave Louisville a 4-0 lead to clinch the win.
North Carolina picked up a singles point at No. 5 where No. 86 Robert Kelly defeated Michael Lippens 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.Louisville's Alex Gornet defeated No. 57 Brett Clark 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6) to make the score 5-1. The match ended on court four where No. 115 Jack Murray topped Chris Simich 6-1, 5-7, 1-0 (10-8) for the 5-2 final.
Louisville returns to action on Tuesday, March 24 when they host a double header at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center. The Cards will face Southern Illinois at 11 a.m. and Tennessee Tech at 3:30 p.m.
NOTE: Today's win also marks head coach Rex Ecarma's 400th career victory. He becomes one of 20 active division I coaches with at least 400 wins. "First of all, I am so thankful to God and blessed to experience a 400th win," said Ecarma. "I started head coaching at 23 years old because I loved the game and wanted to contribute to UofL because my experience as a player here was so formative and significant. I am grateful to all of my players in my career, starting with my first senior, Chris Trinkle, to the great senior class of Sebastian, Albert, Chris, Michael, Van and Luis."
In his 25th season at Louisville, Ecarma has led the Cardinals to five conference championships and have made 10 NCAA regional appearances including four regional finals.
"All of these teams have given their best for the program and me," said Ecarma. "I appreciate so much the leadership in our department. Everyone wants to work for Tom Jurich, I am one of the lucky ones. Kevin Miller has been with me since 1990 helping me every step of the way providing great mentorship. John Carns has given me great advice, support and friendship as well. My current and past assistant coaches, Brendan Burke, Mark Beckham, John Boetsch, Rodrigo DaSilva, Jakob Gustafsson and Matt Coomer have been a huge part of partnering with me to build a national level tennis program. The tennis staff of Meg Peavy, Melinda VanArsdale, Lori Korte, Kamari Wooten, Zach Farrell, Steve Hoelscher who have been beside me for years. Lastly, but most importantly, my family who have endured the almost ridiculous working hours of a head coach and still loving and supporting me every day. What is icing on the cake is not only the 400th win today as a coach but all 400 wins have been here at my alma mater - UofL."
#26 Louisville 5, #10 North Carolina 2
Mar 20, 2015 at Louisville
(Bass-Rudd Tennis Center)
Singles
1. #1 Sebastian Stiefelmeyer (LOU) def. #25 Ronnie Schneider (UNC) 6-3, 6-1
2. Alex Gornet (LOU) def. #57 Brett Clark (UNC) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6)
3. #106 Albert Wagner (LOU) def. Esben Hess-Olesen (UNC) 6-4, 6-4
4. #115 Jack Murray (UNC) def. Chris Simich (LOU) 6-1, 5-7, 1-0 (10-8)
5. #86 Robert Kelly (UNC) def. Michael Lippens (LOU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
6. Jeffrey Brown (LOU) def. Oystein Steiro (UNC) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. Alex Gornet/Jeffrey Brown (LOU) def. #22 Oystein Steiro/Esben Hess-Olesen (UNC) 8-5
2. Sebastian Stiefelmeyer/Albert Wagner (LOU) def. Jack Murray/Ronnie Schneider (UNC) 8-7
3. Brett Clark/Robert Kelly (UNC) def. Chris Simich/Van Damrongsri (LOU) 8-5
Match Notes:
North Carolina 14-6, 3-1; National ranking #10
Louisville 15-4, 3-2; National ranking #26
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,6,3,5,2,4)
T-3:20 A-189
Players Mentioned
