The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters Sweep Tulane In First Outdoor Match
2/27/2010 | Men's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 11 nationally ranked Ole Miss men's tennis team swept Tulane 7-0 in their first outdoor match of the season Saturday, at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center.
The Rebels (7-1) began their first outdoor match in dominating fashion, only dropping four games total in doubles to take the early 1-0 lead and win their sixth straight doubles point.
"As a team, we've all improved in doubles," freshman Adrian Forberg Skogeng said. "We're getting to know each other and how we play and what shots we're good at. It's important to know your doubles partner, and we're getting there now."
He and his partner, Harry Fowler, won 8-0 at No. 3 doubles. The Thiemann twins of Chris and Marcel clinched the point with an 8-1 victory at No. 2. Junior Tucker Vorster and freshman Jonas Lutjen won their sixth straight match, 8-3, at No.1 doubles.
"We were concerned at the start, with it being our first outdoor match," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "The guys were obviously ready to play. It was a very good effort in doubles. We did a really good job of making plenty of first serves and returns."
It didn't take long for the Rebels to clinch their seventh win of the season. Coach Chadwick changed up the lineup a little, but it didn't alter the outcome, as the match was quickly decided with quick wins from the bottom half of the lineup.
First off the court, Chris Thiemann topped Tulane's Rodrigo Rappaccioli 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles to remain undefeated at 7-0. Freshman Jaime Vazquez Catoira, playing in his first dual match, downed Etham Frenkel 6-1, 6-1 on court six, and then Fowler clinched it with a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles against Trevor Getz.
"Chris has been playing extremely well and is undefeated," said Chadwick, of moving him up in the lineup. Jonas has been nursing a cold, so we had decided before the match, that he wouldn't play singles. The guys are prepared to play at whatever position the team needs them to. Adrian showed why this team is where we are. He just continued to fight until the last point. It was a great day for the entire team."
Fowler talked about the difference on being outside and the two-week layoff between matches.
"After two weeks off and then moving outdoors, we knew today was going to be kind of tough," Fowler said. "I felt really comfortable playing outside. The guy was giving me a lot of balls to step up in the court. I was able to take control from the beginning. I definitely felt more comfortable outdoors."
The Rebels will be back in action Tuesday, March 2 to host Memphis at 2 p.m., at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center.
#11 Ole Miss 7
Tulane 0
DOUBLES
1. Vorster-Lutjen (OM) def. Wali-Rappaccioli (TU) 8-3
2. Thiemann-Thiemann (OM) def. Young-Bernstein (TU) 8-1
3. Forberg Skogeng-Fowler (OM) def. Frenkel-Kramer Golinkoff (TU) 8-0
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
SINGLES
1. Tucker Vorster (OM) def. Shaye Wali (TU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Marcel Thiemann (OM) def. Joe Young (TU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Adrian Forberg Skogeng (OM) def. Adam Bernstein (TU) 4-6, 6-4, 10-6
4. Chris Thiemann (OM) def. Rodrigo Rappaccioli (TU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Harry Fowler (OM) def. Trevor Getz (TU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Jaime Vazquez Catoira (OM) def. Etham Frenkel (TU) 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 4, 6, 5, 2, 1, 3
