NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion University men’s tennis team bounced back after their tough loss to Princeton on Saturday, and fought hard today to pull off a close victory against the Retrievers of UMBC. With the victory, the Monarchs now move to 5-1 on the season, while UMBC drops just their second match all year and fall to 2-2 overall.
The day started off well for ODU, earning a point in doubles with wins from Koen Wiggemans and Carlos Lopez-Villa, who defeated Alex Drean and Daniel Gray (6-3); as well as, Dante Terenzio and Zvonimir Podvinski prevailing over UMBC’s Eliott Loubatie and Kamal Patel (6-4).
In Singles Zvonimir Podvinski got Old Dominion started with a straight sets victory over the Retrievers’ Alex Drean (6-2, 6-1). UMBC would then come back with a singles victory of their own, to narrow the margin. Carlos Lopez Villa again, for the sixth time this year, won in straight sets against UMBC’s No. 1 Justin Carter (6-0, 6-5(7-4)). The Retrievers would win a couple of games late, but it wasn’t enough, as Old Dominion’s Jonas Kuwert shut the door on any chances of a comeback from UMBC by winning the clinching game over Eliott Loubatie in a three set thriller (3-6, 6-4, 6-2).
RESULTS
Final Score: Old Dominion 4, UMBC 3
Doubles:
Justin Carter/Melker Svard (UMBC) d. Jonas Kuwert/Koen Wiggemans (ODU) 6-4
Carlos Lopez-Villa/Darragh Glavin (ODU) d. Alex Drean/Daniel Gray (UMBC) 6-3
Dante Terenzio/Zvominir Podvinski (ODU) d. Eliott Loubatie/Kamal Patel (UMBC) 6-4
Singles:
Carlos Lopez-Villa (ODU) d. Justin Carter (UMBC) 6-0, 6-5(7-4)
Melker Svard (UMBC) d. Dante Terenzio (ODU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-5(7-5)
Zvonimir Podvinski (ODU) d. Alex Drean (UMBC) 6-2, 6-1
Eliott Loubatie (UMBC) d. Jonas Kuwert (ODU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Daniel Gray (UMBC) d. Koen Wiggemans (ODU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
Kamal Patel (UMBC) d. Darragh Glavin (ODU) 6-5, 6-4
Next Up for the Tennis Monarchs
The Old Dominion University men’s tens team will remain at home, for the next match on Saturday February 8, when they will host the Owls from Temple at 2:00 p.m. at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.
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