Trojans Earn First SAC Win, 5-2

Posted: Mar 16, 2024

ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson men's tennis team (5-4, 1-3 SAC) notched a 5-2 win over the visiting UVA Wise Cavaliers (11-3, 1-3 SAC) on Saturday afternoon at the AU Tennis Complex. AU rode momentum from doubles play into four singles victories and a comfortable win.

The Trojans began play with their best doubles performance of the spring. Joao Mendes and Sky Thavornchaisophon were first off court after a 6-3 win at the top spot. No. 2 and No. 3 doubles followed suit, each winning by 6-4 scores to secure a doubles sweep and a 1-0 Trojan advantage.

Mendes continued his strong play onto the singles court. The Curitiba, Brazil native made quick work of his opponent at No. 2, winning 6-2, 6-3. Junior Mathis Collignon was not far behind at the No. 4 spot. His 6-3, 6-3 decisive victory gave AU a 3-0 lead.

With AU just one point from a team victory, junior Patrick Cronin closed out a 7-5, 7-5 win at No. 6, after erasing a 5-2 first set deficit. The win clinched the dual match for the Black and Gold.

Upon the match being decided, UVA Wise emerged victorious at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. Trojan sophomore Hampton Goldman's match was last on court, and would be decided in a third set super tiebreaker. The Greenwood, S.C. native took the tiebreak by a 10-4 score, concluding the match.

COACH'S CORNER

"It was a great win for the guys," said AU Head Coach Joey Eskridge. "Our first conference win of the season, against a tough UVA Wise team. We got all three doubles [matches], which was great. We've been working on that. We had to retire at one spot [in singles] because our guy cramped. I feel like we would've won that match if he was healthy, but [his opponent] was a great player. It was a great team effort from the team and good support from their teammates. We're looking forward to going to Tusculum tomorrow!"

UP NEXT

The Trojans have a quick turnaround, traveling to Greeneville, Tennessee to take on 50th-ranked Tusculum on Sunday, March 17th at 2:00 p.m.

Anderson 5, UVA Wise 2

Singles results:

1. Yi-Hsuan Chen (UVAW) def. Vicent Mico (AU) 5-7, 7-5, ret. (inj.)

2. Joao Mendes (AU) def. Daniel Gonzalez Garza (UVAW) 6-2, 6-3

3. Miguel De Rueda (UVAW) def. Sky Thavornchaisophon (AU) 6-2, 6-3

4. Mathis Collignon (AU) def. Vanja Vojinovic (UVAW) 6-3, 6-3

5. Hampton Goldman (AU) def. Hsin-Nuo Hsieh (UVAW) 6-0, 1-6, 1-0(4)

6. Patrick Cronin (AU) def. Pierre Djaroueh (UVAW) 7-5, 7-5

Order of Finish: 2, 4, 6, 1, 3, 5

Doubles results: