Feb. 20, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa- The UIC men's tennis team takes eight out of nine matches against Graceland Saturday evening, and won the match, 6-1, in a neutral site in Des Moines, Iowa.
"We played solid in doubles play tonight, and that set the tone for the singles matches," said head coach Hans Neufeld. "We played with good energy and maintained focus throughout all the matches tonight".
In doubles play, The Flames went three for three and secured the doubles point going into singles play. Juniors Nate Kirk and Scott Shepardson defeated GU's Yassir El Ghazi and Kai Drwecki, 8-6, in the No. 2 doubles position. Freshman Alexander Raa and junior Dave Robare, defeated GU's Rehmy Caffardo and Carlos Yanes to secure the doubles point in the No. 1 doubles position, 8-5. Senior Luiz Gonzaga and freshman Alan Reifer defeated GU's Daniel Ramirez and Jeremy Ackerer in a close one, 8-7 (8).
Raa in the No. 1 singles position set the tone early for the Flames, by defeating GU's Yanes in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Former Horizon League Player of the Week Luiz Gonzaga got back on track by defeating GU's Ramirez, 6-2, 6-2. Singles leader of the team Reifer (4), continues his winning ways and clinched the match for the Flames, with a win over GU's Patxy Suarez, 6-4, 6-1.
Kirk won back to back singles matches in the No. 3 position, defeating GU's Drwecki in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. Freshman James Li won his first collegiate match of the season, with a victory over GU's Ghazi in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 10-7.
UIC will play host Drake University tomorrow morning beginning at 10 a.m., at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
UIC 6, Graceland 1
Singles:
1. Alexander Raa (UIC) def. Carlos Yanes (GU), 6-2,6-2
2. James Li (UIC) def. Yassir El Ghazi (GU), 6-2,5-7,10-7
3. Nate Kirk (UIC) def. Kai Drwecki (GU), 6-4,7-5
4. Luiz Gonzaga (UIC) def. Daniel Ramirez (GU), 6,2,6-2
5. Alan Reifer (UIC) def. Patxy Suarez (GU), 6-4,6-1
6. Manuel Lindekeit (GU) def. Camilo Giraldo (UIC), 6-3,7-5
Doubles:
1. Raa/Robare (UIC) def. Caffardo/Yanes (GU), 8-5
2. Kirk/Shepardson (UIC) def. El Ghazi/Drwecki (GU), 8-6
3. Gonzaga/Reifer (UIC) def. Ramirez/Ackerer (GU), 8-7(8)
Order of Finish:
Singles: 1,4,5,3,2,6
Doubles: 2,1,3
