Men's Tennis . September 15, 2023

Freshmen Shine in Collegiate Debuts

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis had a successful start to the season with the squad of five combining for seven individual wins. The day was highlighted by a pair of freshmen who each claimed two singles wins on the day.

In the first round of action, redshirt freshman Jelani Sarr began his career in a huge way, upsetting No. 48 Luca Staeheli of NC State in a three-set comeback win. Staeheli took the first set 7-5, but Sarr battled back against his senior counterpart to claim the next set 6-2 and the final set 6-4.

In his second round of action, Sarr earned yet another ranked upset, defeating North Carolina’s Anuj Watane who is ranked No. 106 by the ITA. The Gamecock made quick work of the Tar Heel, defeating him 6-3, 6-2.

Fellow freshman Sean Daryabeigi also got his career off to a hot start with a pair of straight set wins. In his first round, Dayabeigi bested Duke’s Andrew Zhang 6-3, 7-6(2), and in the second round the freshman took a win off of NC State’s Braden Shick 6-3, 6-1.

Also with two wins on the day was sophomore Lucas da Silva. The second-year player claimed two dominating wins with his first coming in a 6-2, 6-1 decision and his second in a near shutout 6-1, 6-0 match.

No. 59 Casey Hoole started his season with a win, defeating Duke’s Jake Krug in a strong 6-1, 6-2 showing. Hoole later fell in three tough sets to No. 100 Robin Catry of NC State.

The Gamecock Ranked +1 will continue on Saturday with two rounds of doubles followed by one round of singles. Doubles will begin at 9 a.m. with singles starting at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public with gates opening half an hour prior to the first match of the day. Parking will be available in the dirt lot behind the women’s side courts.

For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).

A-draw first round

(59) Casey Hoole (SC) def. Jake Krug (Duke) 6-1, 6-2

B-draw first round

Jelani Sarr (SC) def. (48) Luca Staeheli (NCSU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4

Sean Dayeabeigi (SC) def. Andrew Zhang (Duke) 6-3, 7-6(2)

C-draw first round

Lucas da Silva (SC) def. Stefan Regalia (UVA) 6-2, 6-1

Douglass Yaffa (UVA) def. Carter Morgan (SC) 6-4, 6-0

A-draw second round

(100) Robin Catry (NCSU) def. (59) Casey Hoole (SC). 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(3)

B-draw second round