Ospreys notch non-conference win

Tuesday, March 17

UNF Tennis Complex

2 p.m.

University of North Florida

Wichita State

Sophomore Graham Edgar won his No. 6 singles match in straight sets

3/17/2009 5:32:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

UNF moved past WIchita State 4-3

By: Adam Jonson, UNF Athletics

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After controlling a doubles point that proved pivotal, the University of North Florida gathered singles wins in three of the first four matches finished to notch a 4-3 win in its non-conference matchup against Wichita State at the UNF Tennis Complex Tuesday afternoon.

UNF improved its overall record to 7-4 and its home record to 5-1 with the win while Wichita State fell to 5-8 on the season.

“We are glad to be back at home playing in front of our fans under comfortable conditions,” UNF head coach Igal Buberman said. “This win helps keep up our confidence going into this homestand that will really challenge us.”

Junior Kurt Gattiker clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 5 position only minutes after sophomore Graham Edgar pushed the Ospreys' lead to 3-1 when he posted a straight-set win against Scott McCormick in the sixth spot. Freshman Marcos Chiaretti zipped past Jonathan Orbist 6-4, 6-2 for the first result of the match.

“I was very happy with our performance in the middle of the lineup,” Buberman said. “I think that dominating some of the matches early took pressure off the rest of the team and allowed us to be relaxed on the courts.”

The Shockers picked up wins in the top two singles spots and in the No. 4 position, needing three sets in two of those matches. David Cavalcanti dropped the first set to freshman Marc Misanovic' before taking the final two 6-1 and 6-0. In the final match to be completed, Vlad Marinescu outlasted senior Federico Levi and won the third set 7-5 after the two split the first two sets.

The Ospreys turned in wins in the first two returned doubles results at the second and third positions. Junior Ronnie Sang and sophomore Edgar fell into a 3-0 hole but stormed back to capture an 8-4 win at the No. 3 position and give UNF the first win of doubles play. Gattiker and freshman Marcos Chiaretti posted an 8-6 win to secure the doubles point for the Ospreys before Marinescu and Adrian Chermaci dealt senior Levi and freshman Misanovic an 8-5 loss at the top doubles slot.

“We knew the doubles point would be important and that this would be a close match,” Buberman said. “We came out pumped up and playing strong today, and it paid off. We need to enter tomorrow's match with the same approach.”

UNF remains on its home court and hosts another non-conference match Wednesday when Winthrop visits the UNF Tennis Complex for a 2 p.m. first serve.