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Men’™s Tennis Dominates In Historic Fashion At Cardinal Classic 10/8/12Men’s Tennis Dominates In Historic Fashion At Cardinal Classic 10/8/12 Contact: Jeff Schneider
BEAUMONT, Texas – The 71st ranked Ragin’ Cajuns men’s tennis squad took first place at the Cardinal Classic in dominating fashion winning five out of six flights and claiming wins in a large majority of its matches over the weekend at the Thompson Family Tennis Center in Beaumont, Texas.
UL players finished a combined 25-4 in singles matches and 9-1 in doubles competition over the weekend claiming three singles championships and two doubles championships.
"The guys came to play this weekend,” head coach Mark Jeffrey said. “We are striving to put this team on an elite national level. I am very proud of the guys. Every single person came to play this weekend, and that’s what you have to do every single time.
“We gave it everything we had. That is what we preach as a team. I have never been to a tournament where one team dominated as much as we did this past weekend. The guys earned it."
Freshman Jake Wynan won his first college tournament with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Nico Mertens of Nicholls State in the final of the flight one draw. Wynan went undefeated on the weekend winning all three matches in pool play including a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 come from behind win over Yosua Adiyasa of Texas-Pan American.
"Jake played smart tennis throughout the tournament,” Jeffrey added. “To win his first college event on his first try is impressive. I expect big things from him this weekend."
“I was pretty happy with the way things went,” Wynan said. “I was hitting well coming into the weekend but I wasn’t sure what to expect with this being my first tournament. It was good to get on the courts and see the other guys doing good as well. Heading to the courts every day with the whole team having a happy and positive vibe really helped with the way I played.”
Jake’s brother Jarred Wynan placed third in the same flight after defeating Rob Lee of Lamar, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Jarred’s only loss on the weekend came to Mertens.
In flight two, Damian Farinola lost a close match in the finals to Dmitry Kozionov of Nicholls State, 6-7, 7-5, 1-6. Farinola was perfect in pool play, not dropping a set until the finals.
Flight three saw an all-Cajuns affair as Carl Alberton defeated Hunter Johnson, 6-3, 7-6, in the final. Both Alberton and Johnson made it through the pool play unscathed with Alberton not dropping a set the entire weekend.
"Damian battled hard all weekend long,” Jeffrey said. “He just needs a few tweaks in his game. I see him really flourishing. Hats off to Carl for winning his first college tournament. He really had a great weekend.”
Flight four also had an all-UL final with Mauricio Fosado topping Coleman Wahlborg, 6-4, 6-1.
In doubles, the Ragin’ Cajuns claimed both the flight one and flight two championships. In flight one, Jake Wynan paired with Farinola to defeat teammates Jarred Wynan and Johnson in a very close final match, 9-8. Johnson/Wynan got out to an early lead, but couldn’t hold on as Wynan/Farinola stormed back for the win.
Hunter Goertz and Fosado combined to win the flight two championship with an 8-3 win over Manel Estruega and Jeoffrey Noblecourt of Nicholls State.
"The flight one doubles final went down to the wire and both teams really competed hard,” Jeffrey stated. “I was impressed with the way Mauricio and Hunter jumped on their opponents in flight two of the doubles. They really put their foot down the whole way through. These guys are getting better everyday, and both have great attitudes and a willingness to learn each time out. I felt that Mauricio and Coleman both had a good tournament, and I look for both to continue to improve.”
Goertz also had a good showing in singles finishing third in the flight two draw after coming away with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Jamie Eccleton of Nicholls State in the third place match. Goertz finished 3-1 on the weekend in singles.
“Hunter Goertz is going to be a player to watch,” Jeffrey said. “This guy is really going to surprise some people.”
"Our assistant coach Jeff Johnson deserves credit as well. He is making a big difference with this program. I love what he brings to our team.”
The Cajuns return to action on Oct. 12-15 when they head to the USTA Futures Event in Mansfield, Texas to face some of the top ranked players in the world.
— Ragin’ Cajuns — — Jeff Schneider Cox Communications Athletics Center Office: (337) 482-6332
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