Men's Tennis Loses 4-3 Heartbreaker
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April 9, 1999
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Mother Nature held off, but their luck didn’t asVirginia’s Cavaliers dropped a tough 4-3 decision to Virginia Commonwealthin men’s tennis action at the Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center today. With thewin the Rams improve to 18-2 overall, while the Cavaliers fall to 10-6.
When scattered showers predicted for the area didn’t materialize it lookedlike it might be Virginia’s day, especially after the homestandingCavaliers won the important doubles point to start the scoring. TheCavaliers’ top duo of Huntley Montgomery and Brian Vahaly, ranked 23rdnationally, lost 8-2 to Daniel Andersson and Frank Moser. But Virginia gotwins from Tommy Croker and John Winter at No. 2 and Brian Hunter and Hyon Yooat No. 3 to claim the point.
Virginia increased its lead to two points as Hyon Yoo was first off for theCavaliers. He defeated Manuel Kropfreiter 6-4, 6-4 in a hotly contestedmatch at No. 4.
The visiting Rams drew even with quick wins at No. 2 and No. 5. Jose Sanchezgained a 6-3, 7-6 straight set win over Montgomery at No. 2, while JohanBarras came from behind to down Tommy Croker 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 at No. 5.
UVa regained the lead as Vahaly trounced the 16th-ranked Andersson instraight sets 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1.
With two matches remaining, Virginia needed just one win for the victory,but the Cavaliers fortunes ran out as VCU won with three-set victories atNo. 3 and No. 6. The Rams tied the match again as Olle Lundberg downed BrianHunter 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 6. With all eyes on the No. 3 court, VCU’s FrankMoser bested John Winter 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in another hotly contested match toclinch the triumph for the Rams. Winter pulled even at 3 games apiece inthe third set, but Moser eventually broke Winter to take command. A shotdown the line proved to be the winner for VCU. Three of VCU’s four winscame in three sets.
As if watching from above, Mother Nature let loose with a torrentialdownpour within minutes of the match’s end.
Virginia Commonwealth 4, Virginia 3
Singles
1-Brian Vahaly (UVa) def. Daniel Anderson 6-3, 6-3
2-Jose Sanchez (VCU) def. Huntley Montgomery 6-3, 7-6
3-Frank Moser (VCU )def. John Winter 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
4-Hyon Yoo (UVa) def. Manuel Kropfreiter 6-4, 6-4
5-Johan Barras (VCU) def. Tommy Croker 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
6-Olle Lundberg (VCU )def. Brian Hunter 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Doubles
1-Andersson/Moser (VCU) def. Montgomery/Vahaly 8-2
2-Croker/Winter (UVa) def. Sanchez/Kropfreiter 8-5
3-Hunter/Yoo (UVa) def. Lundberg/Barras 8-3