March 13, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 11 University of Kentucky men’s tennis team earned the doubles point behind upsets at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles and received two impressive singles wins from junior Alex Musialek and sophomore Anthony Rossi but fell in a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to No. 9 Georgia at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex on Sunday.
Kentucky (13-5, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) held a 3-1 lead in the match with three singles matches still on court but could not grab the decisive fourth point. Georgia (12-3, 4-0 SEC) would earn singles wins at all three courts to post the 4-3 victory and continue its undefeated march in SEC play.
“This was a great college match,” UK head coach Dennis Emery said. “Georgia dug out of a hole of having to win the last three three-set matches to win. They did a great job of fighting and problem solving, but we also did a great job of that. Eric Quigley broke (Wil) Spencer while Spencer was serving for the match, as did Tom Jomby at No. 6 singles in the second set. (Alberto) Gonzalez was down a set and a break in the second set but fought hard to get it to a third set.”
The Wildcats won the doubles point for the fifth consecutive match, getting upset wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Senior Brad Cox and junior Eric Quigley scored the biggest upset of the day, taking down No. 6 Javier Garripiz and Hernus Pieters 9-8 (3) in a tiebreaker to clinch the doubles point. Kentucky senior Alberto Gonzalez and freshman Tom Jomby started the scoring at No. 2 doubles by defeating No. 36 Ignacio Taboada and Sadio Doumbia 8-3.
“I was really pleased with our doubles again today,” Emery said. “Brad Cox really took charge at the end of the match at No. 1 doubles and showed great senior leadership. Alberto Gonzalez did the same thing at No. 2 doubles.”
UK was led in singles action by Musialek and Rossi, who each posted a convincing straight-sets win. Musialek, a native of Dax, France, took down No. 24 Garrapiz at No. 2 singles 6-4, 6-4 to increase his record to 9-5 at the No. 2 spot this season, including a 3-1 mark in SEC play. Rossi, a native of Marseille, France, was nearly perfect at No. 5 singles, earning a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Pieters.
“Great job by Alex Musialek today in a revenge match with (Javier) Garrapiz,” Emery said. “Alex was just outstanding, while (Anthony) Rossi played like a veteran today.
“It a tough loss, but after this weekend we know where we stand with the best teams in the county and we are right there,” Emery said. “We just need to keep working and get a little better for a late-season push.”
Kentucky will hit the courts again Thursday when it hosts a doubleheader with Norte Dame and Butler. The action will start at 1 p.m. ET at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex. Live scores and a live blog will be available at UKathletics.com.
For more information on the Kentucky men’s tennis team, visit UKathletics.com or follow “University of Kentucky men’s tennis team” on Facebook.
No. 11 Kentucky 3, No. 9 Georgia 4
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex – Lexington, Ky.
March 13, 2011
Singles
#1 –No. 15 Wil Spencer (UGA) def. No. 5 Eric Quigley (UK) 7-6, 3-6, 7-5
#2 –No. 57 Alex Musialek (UK) def. No. 24 Javier Garrapiz (UGA) 6-4, 6-4
#3 –No. 37 Sadio Doumbia (UGA) def. Brad Cox (UK) 6-2, 6-3
#4 –Drake Bernstein (UGA) def. No. 86 Alberto Gonzalez (UK) 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3
#5 – Anthony Rossi (UK) def. Hernus Pieters (UGA) 6-1, 6-0
#6 – Campbell Johnson (UGA) def. Tom Jomby (UK) 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3
Doubles
#1 –Eric Quilgey/Brad Cox (UK) def. No. 6 Javier Garrapiz/Hernus Pieters (UGA) 9-8 (3)
#2 – Alberto Gonzalez/Tom Jomby (UK) def. No. 36 Ignacio Taboada/Sadio Doumbia (UGA) 8-3
#3 – No. 79 Drake Bernstein/Wil Spencer (UGA) def. Anthony Rossi/Alex Musialek (UK) 8-5
Order of Finish:
Singles – 5, 3, 2, 1, 6, 4*
Doubles – 2, 3, 1*
