Men’s Tennis: Ragin’ Cajuns Blank UIW To Extend Win Streak To Eight

LAFAYETTE – Arthur Libaud, Eric Perez and Elio Lago each picked up straight-set victories in singles play and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s tennis team extended its win streak to eight matches on Saturday as it blanked Incarnate Word, 4-0, at Cajun Courts.
 
Coleman Wahlborg and Perez clinched the doubles point for Louisiana (8-2) while Libaud and Jamie Fraser teamed up for a win at No. 2 doubles to help the Ragin’ Cajuns remain unbeaten in seven matches at home.
 
After dropping the doubles point in its last two matches, Louisiana made it a priority to secure the doubles point against UIW (2-3), and they succeeded.
 
"Today, we came out committed to play smart aggressive tennis," head coach Mark Jeffrey said. "Getting the break early at Number 1 and 2 doubles helped us stay emotionally in charge to the finish in doubles.
 
"We came out swinging in singles, really landing the first punch which helped us continue the momentum for singles."
 
Fraser and Libaud started doubles off with a 6-3 win over UIW’s Ivanhoe Lissanevitch and Joey Vatandilok before Wahlborg and Perez gave Louisiana a 1-0 lead after earning a 6-4 win over Sebastian Mortier and Francisco Bendana at No. 1.
 
In singles, the Cajuns were dominant, not dropping a set in any of their wins. Perez continued his success from doubles by getting the Cajuns off to a good start in singles at No. 5, defeating UIW’s Caleb Dyer 6-3, 6-4.
 
Libaud also picked up singles and doubles wins on the day after beating Nedim Ahmic 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 1 spot.
 
To clinch the match for the Cajuns, Lago won 6-1, 6-3 over Nedim Ahmic at No. 6. to pick up his third win of the season in as many matches, all coming in straight sets.
 
"Elio (Lago) really stayed strong mentally throughout as did Arthur (Libaud) at the top of the lineup," Jeffrey said. "Those two guys helped us greatly in setting the tone.
 
"This was something good to build on. We look to get back to work Monday and improve on some things and continue to work hard in areas we are doing well."
 
Louisiana will return to Cajun Courts on Friday (Feb. 10) when it takes on Georgia State. The match will begin at 2:30 p.m., and admission is free.
 
Louisiana 4, Incarnate Word 0
Feb 4, 2017 at Lafayette, La. (Cajun Courts)
 
Singles competition
1. Arthur Libaud (LA) def. Sebastian Mortier (UIW) 6-2, 6-2
2. Vlad Kramarov (LA) vs. Francisco Bendana (UIW) 3-6, 6-0, 1-0, unfinished
3. Coleman Wahlborg (LA) vs. Joey Vatanadilok (UIW) 3-6, 1-4, unfinished
4. Jamie Fraser (LA) vs. Ivanhoe Lissanevitch (UIW) 6-2, 2-3, unfinished
5. Eric Perez (LA) def. Caleb Dyer (UIW) 6-3, 6-4
6. Elio Lago (LA) def. Nedim Ahmic (UIW) 6-1, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Coleman Wahlborg/Eric Perez (LA) def. Sebastian Mortier/Francisco Bendana (UIW) 6-4
2. Jamie Fraser/Arthur Libaud (LA) def. Ivanhoe Lissanevitch/Joey Vatandilok (UIW) 6-3
3. Vlad Kramarov/Elio Lago (LA) vs. Caleb Dyer/Nedim Ahmic (UIW) 3-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes
Incarnate Word 2-3
Louisiana 8-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 1); Singles (5, 1, 6)