April 30, 2006
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas-Arlington men's tennis team defeated Texas-San Antonio, 4-2, Sunday afternoon in the championship match of the 2006 Southland Conference Tournament. The victory avenges the Mavericks' loss to the Roadrunners in the semifinals of last year's tournament.
Texas-Arlington (13-6) got off to a good start taking the doubles point by winning at the number one and three positions. Senior Sandy Farquharson and junior Javier Herrera defeated Andre Moreira and Jonas Hoglund, 8-6, while juniors Alberto Agis and Daniel Omana bested Adam Becker and Rubin Fernandez, 8-4.
"We played doubles with a lot of intensity and I was happy with that," interim head coach Diego Benitez said. "I am proud of the guys. They were playing for a championship and not just a match. It feels great to accomplish one of our goals."
In singles play, the Mavericks took victories at number one and number four. Farquharson was down 5-3, in the first set against Hoglund, but rallied to win, 7-5. He coasted to a 6-3 advantage in the second set to take the match. Agis made quick work of Adam Becker, 6-1, 6-2, to give the Mavericks a 3-0 advantage.
Texas-San Antonio (9-12) made it interesting, taking matches at the number five and six positions to cut the score to, 3-2. Fernandez defeated senior Ian Vazquez, 6-4, 7-6, and Joe Olfindo took out senior Niels Buksik, 6-3, 7-6.
At number three singles, Omana started off by winning the first set, 7-6. In the second set Anthony Portois jumped out to a 3-0 lead, before Omana came storming back to win the set, 6-4, and the match. That clinched the championship for the Mavericks.
"This has been our goal from day one," Omana said. "We knew we could do it and this is such a great feeling. We have worked so hard for this all season long and we couldn't be happier."
The Mavericks receive the SLC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will wait to see which regional they will play in. Announcement of regional sites and participants will be Tuesday.
Tennis Match Results Texas-San Antonio vs Texas-Arlington Apr 30, 2006 at Arlington, Texas
Texas-Arlington 4, Texas-San Antonio 2
Singles competition 1. #75 Sandy Farquharson (UTAM) def. Jonas Hoglund (UTSAM) 7-5, 6-3 2. Diego Mattar (UTAM) vs. Andre Moreira (UTSAM) unfinished 3. Daniel Omana (UTAM) def. Anthony Portois (UTSAM) 7-6, 6-4 4. Alberto Agis (UTAM) def. Adam Becker (UTSAM) 6-1, 6-2 5. Rubin Fernandes (UTSAM) def. Ian Vazquez (UTAM) 6-4, 7-6 6. Joe Olfindo (UTSAM) def. Neils Buksik (UTAM) 6-3, 7-6
Doubles competition 1. Sandy Farquharson/Javier Herrera (UTAM) def. Andre Moreira/Jonas Hoglund (UTSAM) 8-6 2. Diego Mattar/Neils Buksik (UTAM) vs. Anthony Portois/Hetori Chaves (UTSAM) unfinished 3. Alberto Agis/Daniel Omana (UTAM) def. Adam Becker/Rubin Fernandes (UTSAM) 8-4
Match Notes: Texas-San Antonio 9-12 Texas-Arlington 13-6
