March 6, 2011
HINSDALE, Ill.- The UIC men's tennis team opened up conference play with an impressive double point win, but unfortunately dropped the match against Green Bay Saturday night, 5-2.
"I look forward to practice on Monday to improve on our singles play," said head coach Hans Neufeld. "Played solid in all three doubles position, and was very pleased with the effort and result on that end."
UIC (2-9, 0-1) started out doubles play with a bang, senior Luiz Gonzaga and freshman Alan Reifer first sparked the Flames with a victory over GB's Fabian Gogolin and Craig Cox, 8-6. Freshman Alexander Raa and junior Dave Robare captured their fifth win together of the season, and won the doubles point for the Flames with a tight one over GB's Fabian Gogolin and Craig Cox, 9-7.
Gonzaga gave the Flames their second point of the match, with a victory over GB's Christoph Hopfe in the No. 4 singles position in a close one, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8. Raa won the first set over GB's Finkenbrink, but dropped the last two sets and match at the top singles flight, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Phoenix already clinched the match with five consecutive singles matches' victory, before Gonzaga earned the Flames their solo singles win.
UIC will have two consecutive weeks off, before they return to action back on Saturday, March 26. The Flames will play host against conference foe Detroit Mercy at the Hinsdale Racquet Club in Hinsdale, Ill., beginning at 7 p.m. CST.
Green Bay 5, UIC 2
Singles:
1. Erik Finkenbrink (GB) def. Alexander Raa (UIC), 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
2. Paul Swanson (GB) def. Nate Kirk (UIC), 6-3, 7-6 (5)
3. Craig Cox (GB) def. James Li (UIC), 6-4, 6-2
4. Luiz Gonzaga (UIC) def. Christoph Hopfe (GB), 3-6, 6-3, 10-8
5. Fabian Gogolin (GB) def. Alan Reifer (UIC), 6-2, 7-6
6. Henning Jess (GB) def. Dave Robare (UIC), 6-3, 6-2
Doubles:
1. Raa/Robare (UIC) def. Gogolin/Cox (GB), 9-7
2. Finkenbrink/Oothoudt (GB) def. Shepardson/Kirk (UIC), 8-7 (5)
3. Gonzaga/Reifer (UIC) def. Hopfe/Jess (GB), 8-6
Order of Finish
Singles: 6, 3, 1, 2, 5, 4
Doubles: 3, 1, 2
