Gamecocks Upset No. 23 Kentucky to Earn Fourth Straight Win
March 26, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Junior Harrison O’Keefe broke a 3-3 tie to clinch the match for No. 26 South Carolina over No. 23 Kentucky. O’Keefe went to three sets with William Bushamuka to give the Gamecocks a 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Carolina Tennis Center.
The win is South Carolina’s fourth straight SEC victory, increasing their overall record to 16-4 and 5-2 in league play.
The Gamecocks came out strong in doubles play with dominating victories on courts one and two. Both doubles pairings jumped out to a 5-0 lead before giving up a game. The No. 1 pairing of Yancy Dennis and O’Keefe (47) was able to close the deal first, posting a 6-1 victory. Andrew Schafer and Alex Fennell were just minutes behind with a 6-1 triumph of their own to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
Gabriel Friedrich (59) made quick work of his opponent on court two, blanking him in the first set and giving up just two games in the second (6-0, 6-2) to give the Gamecocks a 2-0 lead. Paul Jubb continued his perfect record, defeating Jake Stefanik 6-2, 6-4 on court six. He improved his record to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in SEC play this spring.
Wallart put the Wildcats on the board, defeating Dennis in the No. 4 spot with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph. Trey Yates brought the score within one for Kentucky, defeating Fennell in straights set on court five 6-4, 6-2. Ellefsen tied it up taking down Schafer 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 on court three, leaving it to O’Keefe to clinch the match.
O’Keefe, ranked No. 88, edged No. 17 Bushamuka 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-2 to earn his 15th win this season and improve his win streak to six. He is now 5-2 in league play.
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SINGLES (2, 6, 4, 5, 3, 1)
1. #88 Harrison O’Keefe def. #17 William Bushamuka (UK) 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-2.
2. #59 Gabriel Friedrich (SC) def. #24 Ryotaro Matsumura (UK) 6-0, 6-2
3. Nils Ellefsen (UK) def. Andrew Schafer (SC) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. Enzo Wallart (UK) def. Yancy Dennis (SC) 6-2, 6-2
5. Trey Yates (UK) def. Alex Fennell (SC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Paul Jubb (SC) def. Jake Stefanik (UK) 6-2, 6-4
DOUBLES (1, 3)
1. #47 Dennis/O’Keefe (SC) def. #77 Bushamuka/Ellefsen (UK) 6-1
2. Swank/Fennell (SC) vs. Wallart/Stefanik (UK) UNF
3. Friedrich/Schafer (SC) def. Matsumura/Yates (UK) 6-1
Up Next
The Gamecocks hit the road for three SEC matches, the first against Alabama April, 1 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. For more information on South Carolina men’s tennis, follow the team on Instagram and Twitter at gamecockMtennis or check in at GamecocksOnline.com
