Good news! Your Clipper tennismen defeated FDU today 8-1. Playing a bit shorthanded, without Andrey Boldarev, this afternoon, the squad was still able to sneak by the NCAA I FDU Knights.
Without Andrey in the lineup, we asked #2 and #3 doubles to move up a position. Geza and Tamas were up to the challenge as they defeated a solid #1 FDU pair 9-7. Unfortuneately, David and Andreas could not find the good serving today and lost at #2 rather easily 8-3. Daniele and Felix, pairing up for the first time, were able to get the victory at #3 8-5 after falling behind early.
After a short break, we were all business in the singles matches. Daniele, showing the good tennis that we expect, set the tone and won easily 6-0, 6-2 at #1. Also impressive was David Tisserand who made quick work of his opponent at #3 6-0, 6-1. If David can continue to play well and keep improving, we will be very tough to beat going forward. In addition, Felix Missal had a rather short match at #6 6-0, 6-1. Tamas was victorious at #2 6-4, 6-2 and Andreas won at #4 6-2, 6-3. In the match of the day, Geza Bazula gutted out a 3-set thriller 7-6, 2-6, 10-3. Geza really played well in spurts but was not as consistant with the good play as we need him to be. However, when the match was on the line, he demonstrated experience and toughness.
It was a pretty solid effort by the team today and we appreciated the fine support from the fans. It is always difficult to play without one of your top players and the team showed depth for sure. Of course, we will need to improve our doubles going forward. In the NCAA D2 format, doubles is so important. You realy have to get out and play well right from the start. If we can get a lead going into the singles, we will be hard to beat.
Lastly, and something that I always expect, the team did show an ability to make the great get and make our opponents play an extra ball. I thought we were outplayed at times but the fact that we ran down so many balls really created pressure for our opponents this afternoon.
Next up for the Clippers will be NAIA powerhouse Embry Riddle currently ranked #3 in the nation. This is always a tough match and ERAU is vastly improved this season. The conditions are usually pretty difficult in Daytona as well. The match vs. ERAU will be the first of four in our Florida spring break trip. Please wish us luck and follow our results.
Nuff said...
