Trojans Advance To Rice Invitational Final

Saturday, October 1

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Rice Collegiate Invitational

Trojans Advance To Rice Invitational Final

10/2/2016 8:53:00 AM | Tennis (M)

By: Russ Schaffer

HOUSTON, Texas – The second day of the Rice Invitational concluded with multiple Trojans notching victories, highlighted by near perfect doubles play.

Troy saw all four doubles pairings pick up a victory over the course of the day. Andy Lau and Pablo Moreno, continuing off their successful partnership from past seasons, fell 7-5 against Tulane but rebounded with a 8-4 win over UTSA.

Senior Hassan Ndayishimiye and freshman Jiaqi Duan, playing together for the first time this tournament, also advanced on an 8-4 victory over Army.

Filip Mansson and Austin Racine fell in their first match 8-6 but came back with an 8-3 win over Prairie View.

Gabriel Niculescu and Andre Baldo, another pairing playing together for the first time this tournament, advanced 8-5 over UTSA and Austin Racine and Filip Mansson won their draw over Prairie View.

In singles play, Duan picked up his first career victory with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Prairie View and Baldo advanced to the flight C championship round via injury.

Mustapha Belcora lost 7-5, 6-2 in the semis of the B flight against Tulane and Racine fell 4-6, 3-6 to Army. Ndayishimiye withdrew from injury.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
The nod goes to Duan for rebounding from a loss on Friday to earn his first win as a Trojan with the win over Sam Lampman of Army.

NOTEWORTHY
• Troy will have Andre Baldo representing the team in the championship round of singles.

• The Trojans, for the second day in a row, were not shut out in any form of play and earned at least two points in every match.

UP NEXT
The Rice Invitational will conclude Sunday with championship round. A live stream can be found at RiceOwls.com.

For more information on Troy tennis, as well as all of Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find the Trojans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat by searching for Troy Athletics.