March 4, 2002

Columbia, SC –
After matching the school’s best start in five years, South Carolina fell to Ole Miss on Sunday by a score of 5-2. The match was played indoors do to the wet conditions at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center.

The Gamecocks surrendered the doubles point, losing two games to one. Pulling out the doubles victory for the Gamecocks was the team of Angelo Niculescu and Marcus Westman in the No. 1 position.

In singles play, South Carolina recorded two more victories. Marcus Westman picked up the Gamecocks first point of the day by topping No. 97 Paul Ciorascu 6-2, 7-6(6). Playing in the No. 2 position, Angelo Niculescu also walked away a winner on Sunday. Niculescu proved to be to much for Kristofer Stahlberg to handle winning a three-set match 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4.

Up next for the 7-1 Gamecocks will be the team’s first road trip of the year. USC will travel to Louisiana State, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt over the next week as they continue SEC play.

Match Results
Ole Miss 5, USC 2

Singles:
No. 1 #22 Alex Hartman d. Seth Rose (USC) 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Angelo Niculescu (USC) d. Kristofer Stahlberg 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4
No. 3 Catalin Gard d. David Nelson (USC) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
No. 4 Marcus Westman (USC) d. #97 Paul Ciorascu 6-2, 7-6(6)
No. 5 #83 Martin Selin d. Carl Wermee (USC) 6-1, 6-4
No. 6 #120 Claes Lindholm d. Rodrigo Pacheco (USC) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles:
No. 1 Niculescu/Westman (USC) d. Selin/Stahlberg 7-6 (ret.)
No. 2 Chucri/Hartman d. Atkinson/Nelson (USC) 8-4
No. 3 Lindholm/Gard d. Wermee/Rose (USC) 8-5