UNO Falls 6-1 to Samford in Men's Tennis Opener

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Playing indoors and away from the frigid temperatures, the University of New Orleans got the 2010 spring dual season off by falling 6-1 to Samford on Friday night at the Courington Tennis Pavilion.

Samford (2-1) needed just one contested match to hold serve in doubles' after UNO (0-1) conceded the No. 3 doubles' match by walkover. In the one completed match, Zac Dunkle and Carson Kadi defeated Ben Smith and Guilherme Rebolo 8-2.

Singles' play was not much better for the Privateers as the Bulldogs won 4 of 5 contested matches, claiming each of their victories in straight sets.

Stepan Siska, making his UNO spring debut, was the lone winner for head coach Burzis Kanga. A transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, Siska rallied from a set down to defeat Scott Foster 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

UNO will stay in Birmingham, Ala. for a 2 p.m. match on Saturday against UAB (3-2). The Blazers were scheduled to face Kennesaw State on Friday in a match that was called off due to inclement weather.

Samford 6, University of New Orleans 1
Feb 12, 2010 at Birmingham, Ala. (Pat M. Courington Tennis Pavilion)

Singles competition
1. Zac Dunkle (SAM-MT) def. Benjamin Bouhana (UNO) 7-5, 6-0
2. Stepan Siska (UNO) def. Scott Foster (SAM-MT) 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
3. Oliver Reynolds (SAM-MT) def. Ben Smith (UNO) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
4. Carson Kadi (SAM-MT) def. Guilherme Rebolo (UNO) 6-3, 6-4
5. Carl Abalos (SAM-MT) def. Abdelrahman Zaki (UNO) 7-5, 7-5
6. Adam Witcher (SAM-MT) def. No player (UNO), by walkover

Doubles competition
1. Oliver Reynolds/Carl Abalos (SAM-MT) vs. Benjamin Bouhana/Stepan Siska (UNO) unfinished
2. Zac Dunkle/Carson Kadi (SAM-MT) def. Ben Smith/Guilherme Rebolo (UNO) 8-2
3. Joe Hunsicker/Michael Browder (SAM-MT) def. No player/No player (UNO), by walkover