No. 8 Columbus State Men's Tennis Falls Short in Comeback Effort
Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Columbus – The eighth-ranked Columbus State University men's tennis team battled back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the match at four-all before Victor Guimaraes outlasted Michael Trebuhov in a grueling three-set match to give 12th ranked Augusta State a 5-4 victory over the Cougars in the third round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday afternoon. The match took place at the Mary V. Blackmon Tennis Center on the campus of CSU.
With the victory, Augusta State advances to the Round of 16 that will begin May 16 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Cougars end the season with a 23-4 record.
"We were up against the odds after losing all three doubles matches", said CSU head coach Evan Isaacs. "Hats go off to Augusta State, they took it to us at doubles."
"It was a great effort put on by the guys and I applaud them for not giving up."
The Jaguars (17-9) were not challenged in doubles as the 21st ranked duo of Bernardo Fernandes and Henrigue Botuaro won the first match of the day over Quentin Rayniere and Gordan Divljak 8-5 at first doubles. ASU continued to roll as Victor Cabellos and Victor Guimaraes took down the sixth-ranked Cougar tandem of Olivier Simonet and Martin Shishkov 8-3.
At third doubles, Jenner Stevenson and Jan Labas were not challenged defeating Adi Malicbegovic and Michael Trebuhov 8-3.
The Cougar comeback began at fourth singles as Shishkov defeated Labas in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. CSU continued to claw their way back when Rayniere easily took down Cabellos 6-3, 6-2 at fourth singles.
Three courts down, Danilo Sardelli was finishing off a three-set match of his own. After winning the first set against Stevenson 6-4, the Jaguar rebounded winning the second set 6-2. Needing a victory to stay alive in the match, Sardelli dug deep and won the deciding third set 6-0.
In the only match between ranked foes, 31st ranked Fernandez defeated 23rd ranked Simonet 6-3, 6-2 at first singles bringing ASU one match away from the victory.
With his team needing him, 48th ranked Divljak rallied back from a loss in the first set to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-0 over Botuaro at second singes to tie the match at 4-4.
When second singles ended, Guimaraes and Trebuhov were just beginning their third set of action at fifth singles. To open the match, Trebuhov blanked his opponent 6-0 before Guimaraes rallied for a 7-5 victory in set two.
In the third and deciding set, Trebuhov broke serve to jump out to an early 2-0 lead before Guimares stormed back to take a 4-3 advantage.
Battling through cramps, Trebuhov was limited in his movement for the rest of the day as Guimares finished the off the match winning the final set 6-3.
Singles
1. #31 Bernardo Fernandes (ASU) def. #23 Olivier Simonet (CSU) 6-3, 6-2
2. #48 Gordan Divljak (CSU) def. Henrique Boturao (ASU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-0
3. Quentin Rayniere (CSU) def. Victor Cabellos (ASU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Martin Shishkov (CSU) def. Jan Labas (ASU) 6-4, 6-0
5. Victor Guimaraes (ASU) def. Michael Trebuhov (CSU) 0-6, 7-5, 6-3
6. Danilo Sardelli (CSU) def. Jenner Stevenson (ASU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-0
Doubles
1. #21 Bernardo Fernandes/Henrique Boturao (ASU) def. Quentin Rayniere/Gordan Divljak (CSU) 8-5
2. Victor Cabellos/Victor Guimaraes (ASU) def. #6 Olivier Simonet/Martin Shishkov (CSU) 8-3
3. Jenner Stevenson/Jan Labas (ASU) def. Adi Malicbegovic/Michael Trebuhov (CSU) 8-3
