March 2, 2004
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Just hours after rising in the rankings to 19th in the national polls, the South Carolina Gamecocks fell prey to an upset bid, falling to No. 36 North Carolina, 6-1. This marks the first loss of the year for South Carolina, dropping their record to 10-1, just after recording their best start since 1984.
Losing their first doubles point of the year, USC lost at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Gerlado Knorr and Pedro Rodrigues lost at No. 2 doubles, 8-5, to Andy Metzler and Brad Pomeroy. Ben Atkinson and Carl Wermee notched a win at No. 3 doubles over Raian Luchici and Derek Porter, 8-4. However, Tom Eklund and Marcus Westman lost their closest match of the year, falling to Geoff Boyd and Nick Monroe 9-7, giving North Carolina the 1-0 match lead.
Singles did not bode well for South Carolina as Carl Wermee quickly fell 6-1, 6-2 to Andy Metzler while Pedro Rodrigues dropped a 6-2, 6-2 decision to Raian Luchici. Derek Porter ended Tom Eklund’s 10-match winning streak, topping Eklund 6-4, 6-3, to seal the win for North Carolina. Marcus Westman dropped the No. 1 singles to No. 36 Nick Monroe 6-4, 6-4.
Geraldo Knorr fell at No. 6 singles to Brad Pomeroy 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. Ben Atkinson recorded the only match point for USC, topping Geoff Boyd, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
USC hosts No. 15 Kentucky Friday afternoon at the Sam Daniel Tennis Facility at 2 p.m. as they open up conference play.
