NEW ORLEANS – For the first time since 2013, the New Orleans Privateers men's tennis team will play for a Southland Championship after a consummate effort in a 4-0 win over the UIW Cardinals on Saturday at the Privateer Tennis Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The intensity started from seemingly the first point when the Privateers controlled the pace throughout doubles.
Max Heinzel and
Luke Joujan asserted command of the match, winning four of the first five games on their way to a double break and a 6-2 victory.
Marcel Volz and
Matthew Armbruster followed up after winning the first four games of the match. They served out to win 6-2 and earn the doubles point to start the day.
From there, the Privateers were clinical in singles. Heinzel played a fierce match and only lost one game while being the first off court.
Espen Lagarde was in command with patient play and big serves on his way to a 6-3, 6-3 win.
It wound up being a race between the remaining Privateers to clinch the deciding point. It was Armbruster who emerged victorious as the true freshman had a strong performance in the opening set. He then persevered, holding his serve in key moments on his way to a 6-2, 7-5 victory.
FROM COACH KANGA
"I'm at a loss for words because I've yet to see our team play with this kind of focus and intensity from beginning to end. The percentages with their execution were so good. It started with the doubles point and I've said this is a very talented team."
After the doubles point, they didn't let go. They have a goal in mind and that's to win this championship. Everyone played really well and they were all ready for a battle today. What they need to do now is bring the same game plan tomorrow."
"For me, Matthew's maturity is beyond his years. He hasn't reached his peak of what he's capable of doing. He has every shot in the game and I was really thrilled with the way he played today starting in doubles with Marcel."
NEXT UP
The Privateers will play for a Southland championship on Sunday when they face the top-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at 2 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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