Gamecocks Set to Compete in South Carolina Collegiate Invitational

Sept. 29, 2016

Draws – TBD

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Gamecock men’s tennis team is set to compete in the South Carolina Collegiate Invitational in Belton, S.C. this weekend, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2. The event will feature players from eight in-state schools, including Clemson, Furman, Wofford, Citadel, Presbyterian, Anderson, Coastal Carolina, Winthrop and Lander. Matches will be held at the Belton Tennis Center, Leda Poore Park and Belton-Honea Path High School.

“We look forward to and take pride in this tournament every year,” said head coach Josh Goffi. “It is put on in memory of ‘Big Jim’ Russell, one of the most recognized figures in South Carolina tennis history. Hopefully the boys can continue to impove with every match they play this weekend.”

South Carolina will be traveling three players to the tournament. Wood Benton, Scotty Cameron and Sam Swank are all slotted to compete this weekend. The tournament format will feature two singles flights and one doubles flight. At the conclusion of the weekend, one player or coach will be presented the Big Jim Russell Award, which is given to the person who is selected by the tournament committee and coaches to have best represented a combination of sportsmanship, passion and play.

Action on Friday is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. with one round of doubles, followed by a round of singles. On Saturday, play is scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. with two rounds of doubles before two rounds of singles. On Sunday, the third and final day of the tournament, matches will start at 8 a.m. with one round of doubles, followed by two rounds of singles.

All three Gamecocks competing this weekend participated in the Southern Intercollegiates to begin the fall season last week. Most impressive was Swank, who began the year by going 3-0 in singles before falling in the DII Quarterfinals to Louisville’s Parker Wynn, who finished as the draw’s runner-up. Additionally, Swank and teammate Yancy Dennis made it to the Round of 16 in the DI doubles draw. Cameron, a freshman, began his collegiate career last week with a win over Manuel Castellanos of Kennesaw State before falling in the second round. Benton went 0-2 in singles action, and 0-1 in doubles while paired with Cameron.

Last fall at the South Carolina Collegiate Invite, the Gamecocks won both the singles and doubles titles. Thomas Mayronne defeated teammate Andrew Schafer in the singles final, while Mayronne and Schafer took down fellow Gamecocks Dennis and Swank in the doubles final.

There will be no live scoring or video available for this weekend’s tournament. You can receive updates via Twitter (@GamecockMTennis) or GamecocksOnline.com.