Trojans Fall to No.38 Nebraska

Saturday, March 16

Montgomery, Ala.

4:00 p.m.

Troy University

Nebraska

Photo by: Joshua Thurston

3/16/2013 8:45:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

Tournament Central

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Troy men's tennis team put up a strong effort, but fell to No.38 Nebraska in the consolation bracket of the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic on Saturday at Lagoon Park Tennis Center.

Troy (7-8) made some noise early, taking the doubles point from the nationally-ranked Cornhuskers. After splitting matches at first and third doubles, Troy's duo of Patrick Eichler and Anas Rouchdi came up big at second doubles.

The duo faced two match points down 8-7 and then three more down 6-3 in a tiebreaker, but fought off all five match points to win, 9-8 (8-6), to give Troy the opening points.

Nebraska (8-5) rebounded in singles play, taking the four points needed for the win, while the remaining matches were both in third sets.

The Huskers won at first, sixth, fifth and fourth singles, in that order, to take the win. At second singles, Troy's Mansingh Athare was down in the third, 6-4, 1-6, 3-5. At third singles, Troy's Sami Ghorbel was even in the third, 6-4, 4-6, 1-1.

"We definitely had a chance to pull off a great win," Troy head coach Eric Hayes said. "We need to learn to maintain the intensity we had in doubles throughout the match. Nebraska is one of the top teams in the country and they came out firing in singles. We have a short turnaround early in the morning against William and Mary. We'll find out how tough we are in the morning."

The Huskers snapped a two-match losing streak while Troy has now lost two straight. Nebraska lost to Boise State in Friday's first round while Troy lost to No.22 Notre Dame.

The Trojans return to the court on Sunday to close out the Blue Gray Classic. The Trojans will face William and Mary at 8:30 am to close out the tournament for both teams.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.

#38 Nebraska 4, Troy 1

Singles competition
1. Andre Stenger (NEB) def. Anas Rouchdi (TROY) 6-4, 6-3
2. Mansingh Athare (TROY) vs. Marc Herrmann (NEB) 6-4, 1-6, 3-5, unfinished
3. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) vs. Dusty Boyer (NEB) 6-4, 4-6, 1-1, unfinished
4. Eric Sock (NEB) def. Daniel Bustamante (TROY) 6-2, 7-6
5. Tom Blackwell (NEB) def. Andre Stabile (TROY) 6-4, 6-3
6. Andrew Dzulynsky (NEB) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Mansingh Athare/Sami Ghorbel (TROY) def. Andre Stenger/Marc Herrmann (NEB) 8-4
2. Patrick Eichler/Anas Rouchdi (TROY) def. Dusty Boyer/Bradford Zitsch (NEB) 9-8 (8-6)
3. Scott Elsass/Brandon Videtich (NEB) def. Tommy Cundy/Andre Stabile (TROY) 8-4

Match Notes
Nebraska 8-5; National ranking #38
Troy 7-8
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,6,5,4)