Rice University
UAB
Owls Fight Off Blazers Challenge to Win Showcase Opener
3/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
by Chuck Pool (cpool@rice.edu) -
HATTIESBURG, MS-- Oscar Janglin, Jamie Malik and Eric Rutledge captured wins in singles to lead the Rice men's tennis team to a 4-0 win over UAB on the first day of the 2017 C-USA Showcase at the Southern Miss Tennis Complex on Friday.
The 38th ranked Owls improved to 12-5 on the season by fighting off a strong challenge from the Blazers (5-5) on the first day of the second annual round robin event featuring Rice, UAB, UTSA and Southern Miss.
Rice stormed to an early lead in doubles action as 11th ranked Tommy Bennett and David Warren stormed to a 6-1 win, but the point was in doubt until Rutledge and Jake Hansen ground out a 6-4 win at the third position.
Janglin quickly extended the lead to 2-0 with a 6-2, 6-1 win on court six over Nikolai Manchev but the Blazers remained in striking distance as they split the first sets in singles thanks to winning three tie-breakers in the opening sets.
Malik moved the Owls into clinching position with a 6-4, 7-5 win at the first position, but the pursuit for the final point would be extended to a third set where Rutledge rebounded from his first set loss to clinch the win with a 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-2 win over Christian Coetzee.
Rice will face Southern Miss, which defeated UTSA, 4-1 on Friday, in a match moved up to 11 a.m. on Saturday. With rains expected in the area on Sunday, there is a chance Rice's final match of the weekend with UTSA will be moved up to later in the day on Saturday. Stay tuned to RiceOwls.com for any updates.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,2,3
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
6,1,4
Players Mentioned
