March 9, 2011
Final Stats
Arlington, Texas - The UT Arlington men's tennis team recorded a 4-3 decision to Southern Miss at the UTA Tennis Center. The win improved the Mavs to 5-4 overall.
The Golden Eagles (1-10) only had five players so they forfeited a doubles and singles match from the start.
"It's tough to play a team with only five guys, especially when all of them can play," said head coach Diego Benitez. "You feel like you have an advantage cause they only have five and you should win so you put a little bit extra pressure but in the end we took care of what was needed and put four points on the board."
Southern Miss recorded the doubles point despite forfeiting the No. 3 flight.
Jan Burmeister and Julian Roussel defeated Mindaugas Celedinas and Yauheni Yakauleu 8-5 in the top doubles spot while Jovan Zeljokovic along with Paulo Alvarado fought against David Subirats and Nicolas Moreno coming up with a 9-8 win in the No. 2 spot.
They were able to come through with their strong suite in singles action winning the No.1, 3, 5 and 6 flights. The No. 6 flight was won by default.
Jason Lateko finished first going 6-0, 6-0 over Michael Sims in the No. 5 spot while Lucas Leppin soon followed beating Zeljokovic 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 5 position.
Burmeister was the first singles win for the Eagles, defeating Yakauleu in both sets 6-4, 6-4 while Alvarado was the only other to get a win, he did so over Subirats 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 4 flight.
The top flight was the determining match for the victory as Celedinas came through getting some revenge after the doubles match. The junior recorded a 6-4, 7-6 win against Roussel.
"Mindaugas, our senior, stepped up and got the win it was really good to get the win this way," Benitez said.
The Mavs (5-4) travel to California for four non-conference matches in four days beginning March11-14. UTA first faces Sacramento State (8-4), then Montana State (6-8), Saint Mary's (6-5) and finally Nevada (2-6). Match times are still to be determined.
"We look forward to the trip, it's something we do every other year. The guys look forward to it. It's going to be four matches in a row so it is going to be a physical challenge. I think the guys are ready for it and it's going to be really fun," said Benitez.
