March 21, 2004
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina fell 4-3 to Auburn Sunday afternoon, marking their third 4-3 loss to conference opponents this season. For the second match in a row, the doubles point marked the deciding point as USC was barely edged out over the Tigers.
USC fell behind in the doubles point early on as Tom Eklund and Marcus Westman dropped an 8-4 decision to Gabor Zoltan Pelva and Alex Schweitzer at No. 1 doubles. Meanwhile, Ben Atkinson and Carl Wermee were down 4-1 to Nick Lane and Brett Hunter at No. 3 doubles, but rallied back to win 8-5. However, at No. 2 doubles, Geraldo Knorr and Pedro Rodrigues fell down early 5-2 but rallied back to tie the match at seven. Unfortunately, Robert Lathouwers and Rodrigo Minozzo rallied to win, 9-7.
In singles action, Ben Atkinson notched another win at No. 6 singles, dropping Hunter 6-2, 6-0. At No.5 singles, Pedro Rodrigues fell to Lane 6-4, 6-1 to give Auburn the 2-1 lead. Carolina tied the match at two as Tom Eklund beat Schweitzer 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. Carl Wermee dropped a tough 6-3, 7-5 match at No. 3 singles to Lathouwers as Auburn took the 3-2 lead. Gabor Zoltan Pelva clinched the match victory for Auburn with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Marcus Westman at No. 1 singles. Closing out the action, Geraldo Knorr edged out Minozzo at No. 4 singles, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
The Gamecocks now travel to Tennessee Friday at 5 p.m. then head to Athens, Ga., to take on the Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Sunday.
