April 23, 2010

HOUSTON, Texas - The East Carolina men's tennis season came to an end Friday evening at the Jake Hess Tennis Stadium with a 4-2 loss to third-seeded and 70th-ranked UCF in the first round of the Conference USA tournament in Houston, Texas.

The Pirates battled the Knights in singles winning the opening match at the No. 4 slot to take a 1-0 advantage. John Schmitt posted the 6-1, 6-1 victory over Claudio Roman but UCF responded by winning the next three matches.

Johan Beigart dismissed Henrik Skalmerud 6-2, 6-3 at No. 5 while Marc Rocafort bested Jaroslav Horvath 6-2, 6-3 at the No.1 flight. Blaze Schwartz extended the Golden Knight leas to 3-1 with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Massimo Mannino at No. 3.

Bryan Oakley survived a Nino Hasandedic comeback , 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, to keep the Pirates alive with the No.6 victory but Brock Sakey outlasted Stephen Whitwell 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 to claim the team victory and advance to the next round.

With the loss, Rice finished the 2010 campaign with an 18-8 record. UCF improved to 12-7 and will take on host and second seed Rice in the quarterfinal match on Saturday.

#70 UCF 4, East Carolina 2
Singles Play
No. 1 - Marc Rocafort (UCF) def. Jaroslav Horvath (ECU); 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 - Brock Sakey (UCF) def. Stephen Whitwell (ECU); 2-6, 6-1, 7-6
No. 3 - Blaze Schwartz (UCF) def. Massimo Mannino (ECU); 6-2, 6-4
No. 4 - John Schmitt (ECU) def. Claudio Roman (UCF); 6-1, 6-1
No. 5 - Johan Beigart (UCF) def. Henrik Skalmerud (ECU); 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 - Bryan Oakley (ECU) def. Nino Hasandedic (UCF); 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Doubles Play
Match clinched, did not play
Team Records: East Carolina 18-8, UCF 12-7