Gamecocks Start SEC Play Strong

COLUMBIA, S.C.— No. 23 South Carolina men’s tennis opened SEC play strong with a 5-2 victory over Auburn Friday afternoon. The Gamecocks overpowered the Tigers in doubles and carried the momentum over to singles, to secure their first conference win of the year.
 
In doubles, the Gamecocks jumped out to an early lead on all three courts, taking the first three games of each match. Senior Paul Jubb and sophomore Raphael Lambling got it started for Carolina, cruising to a dominant 6-1 win at the No. 1 spot. Freshman Connor Thomson and sophomore Beau Pelletier overpowered the Tigers’ No. 2 pairing, locking down the doubles point 6-1.

In singles, the Gamecocks carried over their momentum from doubles. Jubb was the first to win, with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory, dominating from the back line. Thomson kept the ball rolling, winning 7-5, 6-1 after a gritty first-set win.
 
The Tigers battled back, taking courts four and five, but the Gamecocks held strong. After splitting the first two sets, Lambling blasted a strong forehand up the line to close out his 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win to seal the Gamecocks’ victory.
 
Pelletier picked up his fourth win of the year, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to finish the night off for the Gamecocks.

Gamecock Notables

• Thomson picked up his eighth dual-match singles win of the season, improving to 8-1.
• The Gamecocks improve to 4-0 at home on the season.

 
 
Doubles
Order of Finish (1, 2*)

1. Paul Jubb/Raphael Lambling (SC) def. Tom Wright/Finn Murgett (AU) 6-1
2. Connor Thomson/Beau Pelletier (SC) def. Tyler Stice/Tim Dollman (AU) 6-1
3. Jake Beasley/Thomas Brown (SC) vs. Diego Chavarria/ Ander Fry (AU) 4-2 DNF

Singles
Order of Finish (1,3,4,5,2*,6)

1. (48) Paul Jubb (SC) def. Tim Dollman (AU) 6-1, 6-0
2. (38) Raphael Lambling (SC) def. Tyler Stice (AU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
3. (115) Connor Thomson (SC) def. Tom Wright (AU) 7-5, 6-1
4. Spencer Gray (AU) def. Jake Beasley (SC) 7-5, 7-5
5. Finn Murgett (AU) def Thomas Brown (SC) 5-7, 6-4, 6-0
6. Beau Pelletier (SC) def. Diego Chavarria (AU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

 
 
 
QUOATABLE HEAD COACH JOSH GOFFI
“Happy with the doubles point. The guys came out and took care of business. There were a lot of new teams today which was interesting, but they did a good job handling it. For a majority of singles our guys played really solid and got off to great starts. On the courts we didn’t get off to great starts we fought back and showed resiliency, which is what we’re always looking for. For the first hour and a half of singles it was great, after that there was a little let down of energy and Auburn found their way back in the match so credit to them. It was great to see our guys close it out at the end.”

Up Next for the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks will be back in action Sunday when they take on No. 27 Alabama to close out a three-match homestand.

For men’s tennis updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
 
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