Rice University
Texas-San Antonio
Owls Open Dual Season With Win Against UTSA
1/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 22, 2006
HOUSTON - Rice opened the 2006 dual-match season with a 6-0 victory against Texas-San Antonio on Sunday afternoon on the indoor courts at the Downtown Club at the Met.
The 35th-ranked Owls swept the three through six ladder positions on their way to the team win. Filip Zivonjinovic blasted the Roadrunners' Shawn Steward 6-1, 6-2 at number four. Jason Mok was equally impressive in his 6-2, 6-2 win against Adam Becker at number five, taking the court not long after competing in the Rice/Met Indoor Collegiate Invitational B flight singles championship.
Tony Haerle and Rodrigo Gabriel both came on strong after tough 7-6 first-set wins to sweep their foes at the three and six positions, respectively. At the top spot, Robert Searle rallied from a first set loss to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Anthony Portois. In the final match of the day, Ralph Knupfer held on a third-set super tiebreak to beat Andre Moreira 6-3, 4-6, 1-0.
The Owls return to the court next week, hosting a double-header next Saturday at the Jake Hess Tennis Stadium. Rice faces Texas A&M-Prairie View at 9:30 am then Texas Southern at 2 pm.
Results
No. 35 Rice 6, UTSA 0
Doubles
Did Not Play
Singles
1) No. 36 Robert Searle (RU) def. Anthony Portois (UTSA), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2) Ralph Knupfer (RU) def. Andre Moreira (UTSA), 6-3, 4-6, 7-6
3) Tony Haerle (RU) def. Rubin Fernandes (UTSA), 7-6, 6-1
4) Filip Zivonjinovic (RU) def. Shawn Steward (UTSA), 6-1, 6-2
5) Jason Mok (RU) def. Adam Becker (UTSA), 6-2, 6-2
6) Rodrigo Gabriel (RU) def. Joe Olfindo (UTSA), 7-6, 6-4
Players Mentioned
