Feb. 25, 2007

The University of South Carolina men’s tennis team claimed an impressive win Sunday with a 4-1 victory over the Samford Bulldogs at the USC Indoor Fieldhouse. The win snaps a three-game losing streak for the Gamecocks and improves their record to 7-3.

The Gamecocks got things started by winning a very competitive doubles point. Redshirt sophomore Thomas Stoddard and junior Joseph Veeder were able to get on the board first, defeating Manuel Miletic and Brian Dushock, 8-4, at third doubles. At first doubles, the usually reliable and #42-ranked duo of Yevgeny Supeko and Pedro Campos fell to Renan Silveira and Sam Huffman, 8-3. With the score tied, the doubles point, and early match lead came down to second doubles. Senior Pedro Rodrigues and freshman Ivan Cressoni stepped it up for the Gamecocks, clinching the point with a hard fought 8-6 victory.

After the break the Bulldogs (3-4) tied things up when Huffman made quick work of Cressoni, winning in straight sets at fourth singles, 6-2, 6-1.

The match did not stay tied for long as # 58 Supeko put the Gamecocks back on top by taking a straight -ets victory of his own 6-1, 6-2. The victory puts the junior at 9-0 in dual matches this spring, and is his 11th straight win dating back to the fall.

At first singles, Rogrigues kept things going for Carolina, defeating Silveira in straight sets. After rolling in the first set, 6-1, Rodrigues found himself in a dogfight in the second set. Trailing 5-4, the senior rattled off three straight games to win, 7-5. The win is the first on the year for Rodrigues who has battled a shoulder injury through the early part of the season.

With a 3-1 advantage, Campos looked to close out the match for South Carolina at second singles against Misner. After taking a hard fought first set 6-4, Campos equaled the feat with a second set 6-4 win.

After South Carolina claimed the fourth point, No. 5 and No. 6 singles went unfinished.

The Gamecocks return to the court on Tuesday, Feb. 27, against No. 40 Georgia Tech. Match time is set for 2 p.m. at the Sam Daniel Tennis Facility.

South Carolina 4, Samford 1

Doubles
#1 Silveira/Huffman (SU) def Supeko/Campos (USC), 8-3
#2 Rodrigues/Cressoni (USC) def Misner/Grant (SU), 8-6
#3 Stoddard/Veeder (USC) def Miletic/Dushock (SU), 8-4

Doubles order of finish: 3, 1, 2

Singles
#1 Pedro Rodrigues (USC) def Renan Silveira (SU), 6-1, 7-5
#2 PedroCampos (USC) def Stuart Misner (SU), 6-4, 6-4
#3 Yevgeny Supeko (USC) def Manuel Miletic (SU), 6-1,6-2
#4 Sam Huffman (SU) def Ivan Cressoni (USC), 6-2, 6-1
#5 David Wolff (USC) vs Hank Grant (SU) unfinished
#6 Spencer Feldman vs Brian Dushock (SU) unfinished

Singles order of finish: 4, 3, 1, 2