Pereira upsets ranked opponent

Sunday, March 16

Wichita, KS

10:00 a.m.

University of North Florida

Wichita State

Eduardo Pereira upset nationally-ranked Tiago Espirito Santo of Wichita State on Sunday.

3/16/2008 3:54:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

No. 75 Wichita State downs UNF, 4-1

By: Eric Scott, UNF Athletics

WICHITA, Kan. – University of North Florida men's tennis player Eduardo Pereira upset nationally-ranked Wichita State player Tiago Espirito Santo on Sunday at the Shocker Invitational. UNF dropped the dual 4-1 to WSU.

In the No. 1 match, Pereira put together an impressive performance and downed Santo, who was No. 107, 6-4, 6-3. It was Pereira's first win over a ranked opponent this season, and the win improved his record to 12-1 overall and 11-1 at No. 1. Pereira has now won three in a row.

"Wichita State was a tough opponent,” said head coach Igal Buberman. “We tried to build momentum right off the bat in doubles, but they came up strong as well. It was good to have Eduardo win at No. 1 against a ranked player. I thought that would help the team gain a little more confidence, but unfortunately the bottom of the line was not able to handle the pressure and take advantage of such a big opportunity to get back in the rankings."

Sophomore Kurt Gattiker took WSU's Adrian Charmaci down to the wire in the second set of their No. 5 singles match, but it was unfinished after the Shockers clinched the match.

The Ospreys (9-6) snapped their four-match non-conference winning streak and three-match overall winning streak.

UNF will return to action at 1 p.m. on Friday when it heads to Buies Creek, N.C., to take on Atlantic Sun Conference foe Campbell.

Tennis Match Results

North Florida vs Wichita State

Mar 16, 2008 at Wichita, Kan.

#75 Wichita State 4, North Florida 1

Singles competition

1. Eduardo Pereira (UNF) def. #107 Tiago Espirito Santo (WSU) 6-4, 6-3

2. Albert Ballesta (WSU) def. Javier Ferrin (UNF) 6-2, 6-3

3. Thiago Dos Santos (WSU) def. Yuiti Lopes (UNF) 6-0, 6-0

4. Jonathan Obrist (WSU) def. Graham Edgar (UNF) 6-2, 6-3

5. Adrian Chermaci (WSU) vs. Kurt Gattiker (UNF) 6-1, 3-3, unfinished