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March 22, 2003
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The No. 38 ranked Virginia men’s tennis team defeated a Top-30 opponent for the second time in a week, downing No. 28 Wake Forest 4-3 on Saturday. With the win, the Cavaliers improve to 15-2 overall, 2-0 in the ACC.
The Cavaliers opened the match by taking the doubles point, which proved to be crucial. The No. 33 ranked team of Doug Stewart (Malibu, Calif.) and Michael Duquette (Virginia Beach, Va.) topped the No. 25 ranked team of Mike Murray and Trent Brendon at No. 1 doubles, while Rylan Rizza (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) and Nick Meythaler (Owensboro, Ky.) posted a UVa win at No. 3 doubles.
Virginia and Wake Forest would split the six singles matches, which gave the Cavaliers the 4-3 win. Stewart, ranked No. 52 in singles, downed No. 73 ranked David Loewenthal in three sets at the No. 1 position. Rizza won in straight sets at No. 2 over D.J. Spice, his 18th consecutive singles win. Chris Gonyer (Louisville, Ky.) earned a three-set win over Murray at No. 4 singles.
“I felt winning the doubles point today was crucial,” stated Virginia head coach Brian Boland. “We have been working hard to improve our doubles recently and it paid off today. Wake Forest is a tremendous team and for us to beat them on the home courts is a tremendous win for us.”
The Cavaliers continue their road trip Sunday with a visit to N.C. State
No. 38 Virginia 4, No. 28 Wake Forest 3
Singles1. #52 Doug Stewart (UVa) def. #73 David Loewenthal (WFU) 7-5, 1-6, 6-32. Rylan Rizza (UVa) def. D.J. Spice (WFU) 6-4, 7-53. David Bere (WFU) def. Mike Duquette (UVa) 6-7 (4), 6-0, 6-34. Chris Gonyer (UVa) def. Mike Murray (WFU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-55. Trent Brendon (WFU) def. Stephen Nolen (UVa) 6-4, 7-6 (1)6. Brett Ross (WFU) def. Darrin Cohen (UVa) 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3)
Doubles1. #33 Duquette/Stewart (UVa) def. #25 Murray/Brendon (WFU) 9-72. Loewenthal/Ross (WFU) def. Gonyer/Nolen (UVa) 9-73. Rizza/Nick Meythaler (UVa) def. Spice/Bere (WFU) 9-7