Box Score

Jan. 27, 2006

Results

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The University of North Florida men's tennis team started slow in its 2006 season opener on Friday afternoon but caught fire late - winning four of six singles matches - to post a 4-3 win over the College of Charleston at the Mt. Pleasant Tennis Center.

The match was the season opener for both teams.

The Cougars won two doubles matches to take the doubles point. The Ospreys secured their only doubles win at the No. 2 position from Matias Sigal and Jose Terrera, who upended Charleston's John Crudop and Mike Reynolds, 8-4.

From there, the Ospreys went to work in singles play, getting wins from Sigal at the No. 2 position, German Escallon (No. 4), Elad Gabay (No. 5) and Leonardo Gomes (No. 6). Escallon rallied after dropping the first set 6-1 to Charleston's Alex Quilis -- posting 7-5 and 6-3 victories in the final two sets.

Three of the singles matches went three sets, with the Ospreys winning two.

"We started a little shaky in doubles play," UNF head coach Igal Buberman said. "I think our guys were a little nervous with starting a new season. They just didn't get into a rhythm early, but came back very strong in singles. The match came down to our middle guys, and they handled the pressure well."

Next up for the Ospreys will be 29th-ranked Auburn on Sunday in Auburn, Ala. Match time is set for 1 p.m. Central.