Norfolk, Va. – The No. 58 nationally ranked and No. 2 seeded Old Dominion men’s tennis team (15-2) defeated No. 7 seeded UAB (6-12) by a 4-0 score in the First Round of the Conference USA Men’s Tennis Championships on Friday, April 17, at the Folkes Stevens Tennis Center. The Monarchs will take on No. 3 seeded UTSA tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. EST in the Semifinals.
The Blazers had the early advantage in doubles, with leads on Court 2 and Court 3, before the matches were suspended for a 15-minute rain delay. “The rain delay served us well,” said head coach Aljosa Piric and the momentum turned in the Monarchs favor, when action resumed. Adam Moundir and Michael Weindl teamed up for an 8-2 victory on Court No. 1, while Zvonimir Podvinski and Theophile Lanthiez won via an 8-5 decision on Court No. 3, giving ODU an early 1-0 advantage.
Old Dominion stretched their lead to 2-0, when Zvonimir Podvinski took down UAB’s Christopher Morris in straight sets (6-3, 6-2), giving ODU 2-0 advantage.
Old Dominion’s Michael Weindl was too much for UAB’s Luiz Felipe Pinto (6-3, 7-5) to give ODU a 3-0 strangle hold on the match.
The Monarch’s lone senior, Carlos Lopez Villa, registered the clinching point, when he handled UAB’s Mitchell Martell in straight sets (6-0, 6-1).
No. 3 seeded UTSA ended up defeating No. 6 seeded Southern Miss by a score of 4-3 on Friday afternoon, setting up a rematch between Monarchs and the Roadrunners. Old Dominion defeated UTSA earlier this season by a 5-2 score on Jan. 23 in San Antonio, Texas.
Singles Competition
1. Zvonimir Podvinski(ODU) def. Christopher Morris (UAB) 6-3, 6-2
2. Michael Weindl (ODU) def. Luiz Felipe Pinto (UAB) 6-3, 7-5
3. Carlos Lopez Villa (ODU) def. Mitchell (UAB) 6-0, 6-1
4. Donovan McSeveney (UAB) vs. Adam Moundir no result
5. Christian Coetzee (UAB) vs. Javier Jover Maestre (ODU) no result
6. Stepan, Vancurick (UAB) vs. Theophile Lanthiez (ODU) no result
Doubles competition
1. Adam Moundir/Michael Weindl (ODU) def. Mitchell Martell/Charles McCombs (UAB) 8-2
2. Carlos Lopez Villa/Javier Jover Maestre (ODU) vs. Christian Coetzee/Donovan McSeveney (UAB) 5-6, unfinished
3. Zvonimir Podvinski/Theophile Lanthiez (ODU) def. Luiz Felipe Pinto/Stepan Vancurick (UAB) 8-5
Match Notes:
UAB 6-12
Old Dominion 15-2; National ranking #58
Order of finish: Doubles(1, 3); Singles (6, 3, 1)