NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers men's and women's tennis teams both fell to Abilene Christian 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon at the University Tennis Center in what was the fourth match in six days for both teams.
The Privateers men's team (4-5, 1-1 Southland) lost the doubles point in heartbreaking fashion to start the dual against the Wildcats (7-7, 2-0). Timo Kranz and Blake Gregor took the No. 1 match at 8-3. On the third court, Daniel Populus and Gonzalo Garcia were ahead 7-6 and serving for match point. A double fault put the tandem behind 40-15, and they eventually lost the point and the tiebreak.
"When you win that doubles point it certainly lifts you up and you look forward to those singles matches. Psychologically when you lose that doubles point it has another effect on you. I think hopefully we start gelling at the right time which is conference time," said Head Coach
Burzis Kanga.
New Orleans took both of their points on the men's side in three-set matches in singles play. Christoffer Appelgren won his match from the 5 position by taking the final set 13-11. Gregor, the reigning Southland Player of the Week, also took his match by finishing off a three-set win including a strong final set that he took 6-1.
It was not enough for the Privateers who lost all three singles matches in the front end of the rotation. "They're a very solid team. You've got to give them credit that they came out here and got the job done. We've just got to keep on working as hard as we can. The only way we're going to grow is to learn from our mistakes," said Kanga.
Luis Alburquerque had a solid beginning in his second match of the season while playing at the 3 position in singles. Alburquerque had a solid start to the match in taking the first set 6-4 after rallying from an early deficit. However, he could not hold in a three-set loss.
The Privateers women (4-5, 1-2) were swept in all three doubles matches against the Lady Wildcats (10-2, 2-0) who ran their win streak to eight straight.
Anna Segarra Rius continued her unbeaten string in singles play. Trailing 5-4 in the first set, Rius broke serve and eventually won the set en route to a straight set win.
Hafsa Laraibi took a strong victory for the only other New Orleans point on the afternoon.
Soledad Calderon Arroyo had a 4-3 lead, and jumped out early while playing at the 1 position in singles. However, Arroyo's serve was broken in a 6-4 first set loss.
Marta Sans secured a first set victory, but lost the final two sets at 6-4.
The Privateers women will host back-to-back conference matches on Saturday and Sunday against Oral Roberts and Central Arkansas. The Privateers men will take to the road next Wednesday against Nicholls State.
MEN'S RESULTS
Abilene Christian-5 New Orleans-2
SINGLES
1. Borja Cortes (ACU) def. Rui Silva (UNO) 6-3, 7-5
2. Nicklas Wingord (ACU) def. Gonzalo Garcia (UNO) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
3. Jason Proctor (ACU) def. Luis Alburquerque (UNO) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
4. Blake Gregor (UNO) def. Guilherme Gesser (ACU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
5. Christoffer Appelgren (UNO) def. Nico Agritelley (ACU) 6-7, 6-4, 13-11
6. Marco Bensley (ACU) def. Daniel Populus (UNO) 6-2, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. Blake Gregor/Timo Kranz (UNO) def. Borja Cortes/Guilherme Gesser (ACU) 8-3
2. Jason Proctor/Nico Agritelley (ACU) def. Rui Silva/Christoffer Appelgren (UNO) 8-4
3. Michael Morris/Marco Bensley (ACU) def. Daniel Populus/Gonzalo Garcia (UNO) 8-7 (7-2)
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Abilene Christian-5 New Orleans-2
SINGLES
1. Micah Hermsdorf (ACU) def.
Soledad Calderon Arroyo (UNO) 6-4, 6-0
2.
Anna Segarra Rius (UNO) def. Brittney Reed (ACU) 7-5, 6-3
3. Kaysie Hermsdorf (ACU) def.
Marta Sans (UNO) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
4.
Hafsa Laraibi (UNO) def. Erin Walker (ACU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Nada Marjanovic (ACU) def. Yasmine Rashad (UNO) 6-0, 6-1
6. Emily Conrad (ACU) def.
Amina Mrad (UNO) 6-2, 6-2
DOUBLES
1. Kaysie Hermsdorf/Micah Hermsdorf (ACU) def.
Grace Nolan/Yasmine Rashad (UNO) 8-2
2. Erin Walker/Brittney Reed (ACU) def.
Soledad Calderon Arroyo/
Marta Sans (UNO) 8-5
3. Emily Conrad/Nada Marjanovic (ACU) def.
Anna Segarra Rius/
Hafsa Laraibi (UNO) 8-5
