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FAU Men’s Tennis Downs UNF 5-2

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FAU Men’s Tennis Downs UNF 5-2



Florida Atlantic University’s men’s team played host to its third match of a four game home stand and picked up a 5-2 victory over the University of North Florida Osprey. The Owls improved to 4-3 on the season.

“UNF always competes well under Coach Buberman,” said Brandon Stokes, FAU’s first year head coach. “Today was more of the same. We responded to potential distractions in the doubles play with solid fundamentals and confidence. There remain many areas to improve in doubles but it is pleasing to have this momentum train rolling along in our favor.”

The two teams began doubles play under a beautiful Boca sky, 74 degree weather and a persistent wind. The Owls made quick work capturing the doubles point securing it in 67 minutes. UNF proved winners on court 1 with an 8-5 score. FAU followed at no. 2 doubles with a resilient 9-7 win by Daniel Vardag and Joshua Scholl. The deciding doubles point was scored by FAU’s Lawrence Harradine and Santiago Neito who immediately broke serve and held serve to take the lead at 7-6. Both teams traded service holds to move the match to 8-7 FAU. Solid service returns gave the Owls a 0-40 advantage and three match points. UNF responded with an ace but challenged no further with FAU taking the no. 3 doubles match and the first dual match point.

FAU maintained its momentum through the 10 minute intermission, highlighted by the music of a local DJ. The Owls captured the first set in 4 of 6 in singles play. Despite the strong play by FAU it was UNF that struck first with a victory at no. 5 singles 6-0, 6-2 to even the match score at one.

Court 2 was just two minutes behind and saw Daniel Vardag close out his match with a 6-2, 6-3 victory by serving out the final game at love. The Osprey answered on court 6 with a 6-2, 6-2 tally.

Court four and one were still on the court with FAU holding the edge. Court one split sets to set up a potentially dramatic final set. Scholl used a break of serve in the fifth game of the second set to stretch his lead to 5-2. UNF used an injury timeout on the change over while Scholl paced the baseline preparing for the closing game a game he would take a commanding 30-0 lead with big first serves. UNF responded with gritty baseline play to even the score at 30. Scholl responded forcing two consecutive forehand errors and to clinch the match for FAU at 4-2.

Despite the victory at hand, court 1 would finish in the light of individual and team pride. Marc Abdelnour battled a crafty and persistent lefty. Abdelnour broke serve early in the decisive set to take a 3-2 lead. Game six was held convincingly. Down 0-40 in the seventh game, Abdelnour’s competitive fire earned a service break to take a 5-2 lead. Following a medical timeout, Abdelnour took a commanding 40-15 lead with booming serves and thundering forehands. UNF seemed to run everything down but could not overcome the cheering fans as Abdelnour served out the match by forcing a final forehand error.

“We were outplayed at no. 5 and no. 6 singles today but, we gave it our best shot at those spots. The top four spots competed within themselves today and took care of their court. As their coach it is fun to see their confidence grow. This is necessary as we prepare next week for the Ivy League perennial power UPenn. Thank you again for our rowdy and committed fans. We thrive on your spirit.”

FAU will next play host to UPenn, 1 p.m., Saturday 7 at Patch Reef Park Tennis Center.


Singles competition

1. Marc Abdelnour (MFAU) def. Frederico Levi (UNF) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2

2. Daniel Vardag (MFAU) def. Marc misanovic (UNF) 6-0, 6-2

3. Lawrence Harradine (MFAU) def. Kurt Gattiker (UNF) 6-2, 6-3

4. Joshua Scholl (MFAU) def. Ronnie Sang (UNF) 6-4, 6-2

5. Marcos Chiaretti (UNF) def. Santiago Nieto (MFAU) 6-0, 6-3

6. Graham Edgar (UNF) def. Eddie Majcher (MFAU) 6-2, 6-2


Doubles competition


1. Frederico Levi/Marc misanovic (UNF) def. Marc Abdelnour/Eddie Majcher (MFAU) 8-5

2. Daniel Vardag/Joshua Scholl (MFAU) def. Marcos Chiaretti/Kurt Gattiker (UNF) 9-7

3. Lawrence Harradine/Santiago Nieto (MFAU) def. Ronnie Sang/Graham Edgar (UNF) 9-7


Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (5,2,6,4,3,1)


Florida Atlantic University 5, University of North Florida 2



Source:  FAU Media Relations

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