Trojans Drop Match to South Alabama

Wednesday, February 23

Troy, AL

2:30 p.m.

Troy University

University of South Alabama

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

2/23/2011 10:26:55 PM | Tennis (M)

Troy returns home Saturday to face Tennessee Tech

By: Jarrod Johnson

Box Score :: Photo Gallery

TROY, Ala. - The Troy University men's tennis team played at the Lunsford Tennis Complex, coming up just short against the University of South Alabama 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon.

“South Alabama was more clutch in the match today,” Troy coach Eric Hayes said. “Until some of these young men learn to close out some matches, and out compete their opponent, we will not win another match. It is gut check time for this team.”

Troy (1-9) fell behind early when they dropped the doubles point, as South Alabama swept through all three matches. At number one doubles, the team of Branko Weber and Mario Rolemberg fell to Christian Kuehne and Alexandre Bernard, 8-5; while the number two team of Niklas Jonsson and Mansingh Athare fell to South Alabama's Hanno Bartsch and Dauw Kruger, 8-2.

Meanwhile, after the point was decided, the Trojans' number two team of Anas Rouchdi and Sami Ghorbel fell in a tie-breaker to the South Alabama team of Romain Bocaert and Jairo Seur 8-7 (8-6).

In singles play, five of the six matches were decided in three sets as the Trojans came up victorious in two of those matches. At number four, senior Mario Rolemberg won his match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 over Christian Kuehne; while at number six freshman Niklas Jonsson picked up the only straight set victory of the day by either team, as he defeated South Alabama's Jairo Seur 6-1, 6-4.

In other matches on the day, South Alabama's Romain Bocaert picked up a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Troy's Branko Weber; while at number two, sophomore Anas Rouchdi fell to South Alabama's Alexandre Bernard in a thrilling three-set match; 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

At number three, freshman Sami Ghorbel won the first set in his match with South Alabama's Dauw Kruger, but fell in the end 6-7 (3-7), 6-0, 6-0. The only other match of the day took place at number five where South Alabama's Hanno Bartsch defeated Troy's Jamie Eccleton (TROY) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

The Trojans look to rebound when they hit the courts again on Saturday against Tennessee Tech University. The match is scheduled to start at 2:30 pm at the Lunsford Tennis Complex.

For up to date information on Troy University Athletics, follow us on Twitter at /TroyAthletics or become a fan on Facebook.