HOUSTON, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers men's tennis team put on an impressive display as they defeated the Samford Bulldogs 4-1 in their first match at the Ralph O'Connor Invitational hosted by Rice on Saturday afternoon.
New Orleans got out to a quick start in doubles.
Max Heinzel and
Luke Joujan were up a double break early in their match at flight two and they made both of those hold up for a 6-2 victory. At court three,
Matthew Armbruster and
Karim Al-Amin raced to a 5-2 lead.
Out of the changeover, Samford held serve but the Privateer duo served out on their racket for a 6-3 victory to earn the first point of the day.
When the action broke into singles, the Privateers were in command on most courts.
Heinzel continued his solid singles form as he strolled to a first set win at flight one. His opponent, Mohammed Ali Bellalouna had to retire from the match after the first game of the second set, giving Heinzel the win.
At flight three,
Espen Lagarde scored a 6-2, 6-4 win over Sandeep Mohandoss as the Privateers were not to be denied on the day.
New Orleans also earned a point from Al-Amin in singles. The freshman notched his eighth win of the season in singles as he produced a workmanlike victory. Al-Amin won in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 at flight two.
Samford's lone point came at flight four when J.B. Pickard notched a 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Lilian Dubois was in his third set early on when the match was called. Dubois won the second set 7-5 and was ahead 2-1 in the third. Armbruster won his first set in a tiebreak and was level at 5-5 when the match was stopped.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face the host, Rice Owls on Sunday at 11 a.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersTN on Twitter,
@PrivateersTN on Instagram, like
Privateers Tennis on Facebook and subscribe to the
UNOPrivateers YouTube channel.
