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March 28, 2003
TALLAHASSEE, FLA – The No. 21 ranked Virginia men’s tennis team began a three match weekend trip to Tallahassee Friday with a 7-0 win over Jacksonville. The victory improves the Cavaliers’ record to 17-2 on the season.
The Cavaliers opened strong by taking the doubles point. Chris Gonyer (Louisville, Ky.) and Stephen Nolen (Aurora, Colo.) won at No. 2 doubles, while Rylan Rizza (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) and Nick Meythaler (Owensboro, Ky.) won at No. 3 doubles.
In singles, the Cavaliers swept all six matches in straight sets. Doug Stewart (Malibu, Calif.), Michael Duquette (Virginia Beach, Va.), Nolen, Stephen Rozek (Chadron, Ohio) and Darrin Cohen (Lafayette, Calif.) all won for UVa, but it was Rizza who made history in singles play today. With his win at No. 2 singles, the first-year won his 20th consecutive singles match, tying the school record set by Brian Vahaly in 2001. For the year, Rizza is now 33-7 and 17-0 in dual matches.
“Today was good preparation for a big ACC match tomorrow,” stated Virginia assistant coach Tony Bresky. “We are all excited to play again tomorrow and feel we are prepared for Florida State.”
Virginia will play the No. 41 ranked Seminoles in Tallhassee on Saturday and Stetson on Sunday, also in Tallahassee, before returning home for a Wednesday doubleheader against Maryland and Howard.
No. 21 Virginia 7, Jacksonville 0
Singles:1. No. 42 Doug Stewart (UVa) def. Ben Birkmann (JU) 6-3, 7-62. Rylan Rizza (UVa) def. Martin Hehensteiger (JU) 6-3, 6-43. Michael Duquette (UVa) def. Andres Rojas (JU) 6-1, 6-24. Stephen Nolen (UVa) def. Rich Davoli (JU) 6-1, 6-15. Stephen Rozek (UVa) def. Dale Alderman (JU) 6-2, 6-26. Darrin Cohen (UVa) def. Kamal El Bouzkouri (JU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles:1. Birkmann/Hehensteiger (JU) def. No. 40 Duquette/Stewart (UVa) 8-52. Gonyer/Nolen (UVa) def. Rojas/Alderman (JU) 8-33. Rizza/Meythaler (UVa) def. Davoli/El Bouzkouri (JU) 8-1