Rice University
Alabama
Men's Tennis Drops Match to Alabama on Day One of Blue Gray Classic
2/23/2024 9:28:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Rice men's tennis fell, 4-1, versus No. 19 Alabama on the opening day of the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic on Friday.
Doubles: In doubles play, the Owls were led by senior Trinity Grear and freshman Petro Kuzmenok at the second position. Playing the 35th-ranked doubles team in the country, the Owl duo posted a 6-3 victory to start Rice's day. Senior Yasha Zemel and sophomore Kabeer Kapasi then won, 6-4, at the first position to clinch the doubles point for the Owls. At the third position, juniors Arthus de la Bassetiere and Eduardo Morais had battled to a 5-6 score before the match was suspended.
Singles: Rice's momentum did not carry to singles play, however, as the Crimson Tide posted first-set wins at every position despite Zemel and Grear forcing tiebreaks at the top two positions versus ranked opponents. Wins at the first, third, fourth and sixth positions ultimately clinched the win for Alabama. At the fifth position, Kuzmenok battled back to win the second set and force a decisive third frame before the match was suspended at a 1-1 tie in the final set.
Up Next: The Owls began their second match of the day against Old Dominion before the match was suspended following the conclusion of doubles play, which was won by the Monarchs. Rice will resume the match down 1-0 tomorrow at noon (CT).
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
6,4,3,1
Players Mentioned
