
Lucas da Silva Earns Ranked Singles Win as Gamecocks Fall to No. 5 Virginia
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s tennis team was handed its first dual match loss on Thursday night, falling 2-5 to the No. 5 University of Virginia. The Gamecocks dropped the doubles point while collecting two singles wins from Connor Thomson and Lucas da Silva.
The dual match opened with a tight battle in doubles, as all three courts exchanged games early on. The Cavaliers’ pairs quickly found their rhythm, advancing to 5-3 across all three courts within minutes of eachother. On court 5, Janjum Kim and Rafael Jodar claimed the first doubles victory, defeating Max Stenzer and Atakan Karahan 6-3. Shortly afterward, the Cavaliers clinched the doubles point on court 1, where No. 92 Dylan Dietrich and Mans Dahlberg topped Thomson and Casey Hoole, also by a 6-3 margin.
Virginia extended its lead to 2-0 in singles as No. 57 Dylan Dietrich took the first win over Hoole 6-2, 6-3. The Gamecocks responded with a crucial win from Thomson on court 2, who delivered a straight-sets victory, 6-4, 6-4.
On court 4, James Hopper edged No. 77 Jelani Sarr in a three-set thriller. Sarr stormed through the opening set 6-2 after riding a 4-0 streak, but Hopper bounced back in the second, rallying from 0-5 down to claim the set 7-5. In the decisive third set, Sarr struck first but couldn’t maintain momentum as Hopper won 6-2 to put Virginia one point from clinching.
The clinch came on court 5, where Janjum Kim outlasted freshman Karahan in a tightly contested three-setter. The first set was close, with Kim prevailing in a tiebreak 7-6 (6). Karahan countered with a dominant 6-2 second set, fending off a late rally by Kim. In the final set, Kim secured the victory with a 6-3 scoreline.
Lucas da Silva provided a bright spot for the Gamecocks with a ranked win over No. 86 Mans Dahlberg on court 3. After dropping the opening set 4-6, da Silva turned the tables, winning the second set 6-4. Trailing 0-2 in the final set, da Silva surged back with four consecutive games to close it out 6-3.
The Gamecocks continue their season in Florida, facing UNF on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 1:00 p.m.
For the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
(15) South Carolina 2, (5) Virginia 5
Doubles (order of finish: 5,1,3)
- #92 Dylan Dietrich/Mans Dahlberg (UVA) def. Connor Thomson/Casey Hoole (SC) 6-3
- James Hopper/Keegan Rice (UVA) led Jelani Sarr/Lucas da Silva (SC) 5-3, unfinished
- Janjun Kim/Rafael Jodar (UVA) def. Max Stenzer/Atakan Karahan (SC) 6-3
Singles (order of finish:1,2,5,6,3,4)
- #57 Dylan Dietrich (UVA) def. Casey Hoole 6-2, 6-3
- Connor Thomson (SC) def. Rafael Jodar (UVA) 6-4, 6-4
- Lucas da Silva (SC) def. #86 Mans Dahlberg (UVA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Keegan Rice (UVA) def. #55 Sean Daryabeigi (SC) 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 3-0, retired
- James Hopper (UVA) def. #77 Jelani Sarr (SC) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2
- Janjun Kim (UVA) def. Atakan Karahan (SC) 7-6 (6-8), 4-6, 6-4