Carolina Storms Back, Beats Georgia 4-3 To Advance to Team Indoors
COLUMBIA, S.C.— No. 15 South Carolina fought out a grueling 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon against No. 19 Georgia to advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. The Gamecocks never wavered, storming back from down 3-1, completing the comeback on senior Paul Jubb’s forehand winner in the third set.
In doubles, the Gamecocks battled hard, dropping the doubles point after splitting the first two matches. Jubb and freshman Connor Thomson picked up a 6-3 win over the No. 17 ranked pair of Blake Croyder and Phillip Henning.
The singles portion of the match saw the Gamecocks trail 2-0 before Thomson powered past Erik Grevelius 6-2, 6-3 to give Carolina its first point. After dropping the No. 6 match, the Gamecocks trailed 3-1, needing to win all three matches still on court to advance
Redshirt-Freshman Phillip Jordan and sophomore No. 39 Raphael Lambling responded, picking up crucial wins in tight second sets. With the match knotted at 3-3, the Gamecocks turned to their lone senior, Jubb, for the final point. After splitting the first two sets, 4-6, 6-4, the Hull, England, native overpowered No. 57 Trent Bryde 6-0 in the final frame, sealing the win with a crosscourt forehand winner, sending the Gamecocks into jubilation.
Carolina will make its sixth all-time appearance at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. The Gamecocks previously made the event three times while it was under the ITCA name, most recently making the 2006 field. This is the first time the Gamecocks have made the event since the introduction of ITA Kickoff Weekend.
QUOATABLE HEAD COACH JOSH GOFFI
“We are so proud of our guys. The way this squad stuck to the matches this weekend is a testament to their toughness and resilience. They deserve to go to Wisconsin and battle the best teams in college tennis.”
Doubles (Order of Finish: 3,2,1*)
1. Trent Bryde/Tyler Zink (UGA) def. (39) Raphael Lambling/Daniel Rodrigues (SC) 6-2
2. Paul Jubb/Connor Thomson (SC) def. (17) Blake Croyder/Philip Henning (UGA) 6-3
3. Erik Grevelius/Robert Loeb (UGA) def. Phillip Jordan/Beau Pelletier (SC) 6-1
Singles (Order of Finish 2,4,6,5,3,1*)
1. Paul Jubb (SC) def. (57) Trent Bryde (UGA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
2. (12) Philip Henning (UGA) def. (21) Daniel Rodrigues (SC) 6-4, 6-0
3. (39) Raphael Lambling (SC) def. Tyler Zink (UGA) 7-5, 6-4
4. (106) Connor Thomson (SC) def. Erik Grevelius (UGA) 6-2, 6-3
5. Phillip Jordan (SC) def. Robert Loeb (UGA) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
6. (88) Blake Croyder (UGA) def. Beau Pelletier (SC) 6-4, 6-3
Up Next for the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks will return home before heading to No. 4 North Carolina for their final tune up before ITA National Team Indoors.
For men’s tennis updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
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