March 31, 2002

Columbia, SC –
South Carolina’s men’s tennis team dropped a tight match to Alabama on Sunday by a score of 4-3. The match began outdoors at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center, but was moved inside after the conclusion of doubles play due to thunderstorms.

At the indoor courts, USC split singles six singles matches falling one point shy of the upset bid. Winners for the Gamecocks were Angelo Niculescu out of the No.2 position, Marcus Westman at No. 3, and David Nelson out of the No. 4 position. Westman’s win runs his dual match record to 17-0.

The match was the final home contest of the season for the Gamecocks. USC will be back in action on Friday when they travel to Georgia for a 5:00 p.m. contest against the No.1 ranked Bulldogs.

Match Results

Alabama 4, USC 3

Singles:

No. 1 #52 Maxim Belski d. #61 Seth Rose (USC) 6-3, 7-5
No. 2 Angelo Niculescu (USC) d. Stephen Mitchell 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
No. 3 Marcus Westman (USC) d. #90 Chris Gostick 7-6, 6-1
No. 4 David Nelson (USC) d. Nicholas-Jean Beaque 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
No. 5 Chris McRae d. Carl Wermee (USC) 7-5, 6-1
No. 6 Christian Brodersen d. Rodrigo Pacheco (USC) 6-3, 7-5

Doubles:

No. 1 Gostick/Mitchell d. #49 Niculescu/Westman (USC) 8-6
No. 2 Belski/Friedman d. Rose/Wermee(USC) 8-6
No. 3 Atkinson/Nelson (USC) vs. Beuque/Boyles 7-6 susp.