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April 16, 2000
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — University of Virginia third-year tennisplayer Brian Vahaly (Atlanta, Ga./The Lovett School) won his 30th singlesmatch of the season to establish a new school record for singles victoriesin a season. Vahaly’s victory was the only win for the Cavaliers as the43rd-ranked UVa men’s tennis team lost to sixth-ranked Duke 6-1 on Sunday,April 16 at the Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center in Charlottesville. UVa nowstands at 15-8 overall and 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The BlueDevils improve to 19-5 overall and 8-0 in the ACC.
Vahaly, currently ranked fifth in the nation, has a 30-4 singles recordthis season, including a perfect 8-0 mark in the ACC. Prior to winning his#1 singles match 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 today, Vahaly shared the school’s record forsingles victories in a season with Justin Smith who was 29-13 in the1994-95 season. Vahaly, who became UVa’s first All-American in 1999, tiedSmith’s school mark with a 29-9 record in 1998-99.
Duke won all three doubles matches to capture the doubles point. The BlueDevils then won five of the six singles matches for the 6-1 victory overVirginia.
In doubles action, Vahaly and third-year Huntley Montgomery (ChapelHill, N.C./Chapel Hill), currently ranked 23rd, lost to Duke’seighth-ranked Doug Root and Ramsey Smith 8-6 at #1. At #2 doubles, thetandem of fourth-year John Winter (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher’s) andthird-year Tommy Croker (Alexandria, Va./St. Stephens) fell to Duke’sAndres Pedroso and Ted Rueger 9-8. In the #3 doubles match, Porter Jonesand Michael Yani registered an 8-3 win over UVa first-year Michael Duquette(Virginia Beach, Va./Norfolk Academy) and third-year Brian Hunter (ChapelHill, N.C./Chapel Hill).
In singles play, Vahaly’s comeback 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over43rd-ranked Root at #1 accounted for the Cavaliers’ only point of thematch. At the #2 spot, No. 51 Montgomery lost 6-2, 6-3 to 26th-rankedSmith. Winter dropped a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 decision to 54th-rankedPedroso at #3 singles. At #4, Virginia’s Croker fell in straight sets,6-3, 6-3, to Joel Spicher. UVa’s Hunter lost in three sets to Jones, 6-4,6-7, 6-2, at #5 singles. UVa’s Duquette was defeated at #6 singles by100th-ranked Marko Cerenko 6-2, 6-2.
Virginia returns to action Thursday through Sunday, April 20-23when it competes in the ACC Tournament at the Racquet Club of the South inNorcross, Georgia.
Duke 6, Virginia 1
Singles
1. No. 5 Brian Vahaly (UVa) def. No. 43 Doug Root (D), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
2. No. 26 Ramsey Smith (D) def. No. 51 Huntley Montgomery (UVa), 6-2, 6-3
3. No. 54 Andres Pedroso (D) def. John Winter (UVa), 6-4, 6-7, 6-3
4. Joel Spicher (D) def. Tommy Croker (UVa), 6-3, 6-3
5. Porter Jones (D) def. Brian Hunter (UVa), 6-4, 6-7, 6-2
6. No. 100 Marco Cerenko (D) def. Michael Duquette (UVa), 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. No. 8 Doug Root / Ramsey Smith (D) def. No. 23 Brian Vahaly / Huntley Montgomery (UVa), 8-6
2. Andres Pedroso / Ted Rueger (D) def. John Winter / Tommy Croker (UVa), 9-8
3. Porter Jones / Michael Yani (D) def. Michael Duquette / Brian Hunter (UVa), 8-3