Alabama Edges State in SEC Men's Tennis Tourney

April 17, 2003

OXFORD, Miss. - The University of Alabama men's tennis team (17-8, 5-7 SEC) earned redemption against Mississippi State (8-12, 4-8 SEC), winning 4-1 in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament at Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday afternoon. The Tide lost to State in Tuscaloosa earlier this season.

With Alabama needing four of six wins in singles after dropping the doubles point in dramatic fashion, the Tide got out to a fast start with quick straight-set wins at Nos. 3, 5 and 6 singles for a 3-1 lead. Mississippi State, however, had match points at No. 4 and No. 1 singles when Crimson Tide junior Stephen Mitchell sealed the match with a magnificent performance at No. 2, winning 6-4, 6-4 over State's Rene-Charles Combette.

"Stephen played a tremendous match," Alabama head coach Billy Pate said. "He played well from start to finish and it was a complete victory for him. Combette is a great player and I was proud that Stephen kept composure and executed as well as he has all year."

The doubles turned in favor of the Bulldogs as they fought their way out of a huge hole to take the opening point. With a quick win at No. 3 doubles, and serving at double-match point at No. 2, Alabama was well in control. But the Bulldogs fought off both match points and came back to win that match in a tiebreaker. The No. 1 doubles match also came down to a tiebreaker, and State took that match and the doubles point.

Alabama takes on the 2003 SEC Champion Florida Gators at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Florida is 11-0 in league play this season and downed Alabama 5-2 in Tuscaloosa earlier in the season.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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