Feb. 3, 2002

Columbia, S.C. –
Paced by a solid doubles performance, South Carolina’s No. 31 ranked men’s tennis team swept North Carolina State in Saturday’s season opener at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center. The Gamecocks were in control from the opening serve as the doubles teams of Angelo Niculescu/Marcus Westman, Ben Atkinson/David Nelson, and Rodrigo Pacheco/Seth Rose all rolled to easy victories.

In Singles play, Seth Rose topped Matt Lucas 6-4, 6-3 out of the No. 1 position. Angelo Niculescu recorded a victory in the No. 2 slot 6-1, 6-3 over Reinaldo Valor. David Nelson dominated Michael Carducci 7-6, 6-1 to earn a victory out of the No. 3 position. Marcus Westman continued the Gamecocks’ streak in the No. 4 spot with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Bryce McGrory. Rodrigo Pacheco started off his senior season on a positive note with a 6-4, 6-1 win out of the No. 5 slot. At No. 6, Ben Atkinson walked away the winner of the day’s tightest match taking a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory from R.J. Murray.

South Carolina moves to 1-0 on the season, while North Carolina State falls to 1-2. The Gamecocks will be back in action next Sunday with a pair of matches against Davidson and Charlotte beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Match Results

Singles:
No. 1 Seth Rose (USC) d. Matt Lucas 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 Angelo Niculescu (USC) d. Reinaldo Valor 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 David Nelson (USC) d. Michael Carducci 7-6, 6-1
No. 4 Marcus Westman (USC) d. Bryce McGrory 6-3, 6-3
No. 5 Rodrigo Pacheco (USC) d. Ryan Boward 6-4, 6-1
No. 6 Ben Atkinson (USC) d. R.J. Murray 5-7, 6-1, 6-2

Doubles:
No. 1 Niculescu/Westman (USC) d. Lucas/Valor 8-4
No. 2 Atkinson/Nelson (USC) d. Carducci/Davis 8-3
No. 3 Pacheco/Rose (USC) d. Boward/Murray 8-4