Cavalier Men's Tennis Downs Florida State

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March 9, 2004

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The No. 19 ranked Virginia men’s tennis team continued record start to the season by topping No. 45 Florida State 4-3 Tuesday night at the Boar’s Head Sports Club. With the victory, the Cavaliers are off to a school record 12-1 start, and a 2-0 mark in the ACC.

The Seminoles (7-5, 1-1 ACC) took an early advantage by taking the doubles point. In a battle between nationally ranked teams, No. 22 Jeff Groslimond and Chris Westerhof of Florida State topped No. 17 ranked Rylan Rizza (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) and Nick Meythaler (Owensboro, Ky.) 8-2 at No. 1. Virginia drew even with Doug Stewart (Malibu, Calif.) and Darrin Cohen’s (Lafayette, Calif.) 8-0 win at No. 3. The Seminoles clinched the point with a 8-3 win at No. 2 by Mat Cloer and Jonathan Sucupira.

After dropping the doubles point for just the fourth time this season, the Cavaliers rallied in singles play to take four of the six matches for the win. Cohen cruised past J. P. Bounassar 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6 to bring the Cavaliers even in the dual match. Rizza’s 6-2, 6-2 win over Groslimond at No. 3 gave Virginia the lead at 2-1. That lead was extended to 3-1 when Marko Miklo (Bratislava, Slovakia) defeated Chip Webb 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4. Virginia clinched the match as Meythaler completed a 7-6, 6-2 win over Westerhof at No. 5. Florida State won the final two matches on the courts to bring the final score to 4-3. Sucupira won at No. 2 and No. 20 ranked Cloer topped No. 24 ranked Stewart in three sets in a battle of two of the top collegiate players in the nation.

“This match shows just how much our team can overcome adversity,” said Virginia head coach Brian Boland. “We have put a lot of emphasis on doubles and I was disappointed with our doubles play tonight. But to regroup after losing the doubles point and win five of six first sets in singles shows character. This conference is just so tough, every win is a great win.”

The Cavaliers travel to No. 39 Georgia Tech Sunday for their first ACC road match of the season.

No. 19 Virginia 4, No. 45 Florida State 3

Singles:
1. No. 20 Mat Cloer (FSU) def. No. 24 Doug Stewart (UVa) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
2. Jonathan Sucupira (FSU) def. Stephen Rozek (UVa) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
3. Rylan Rizza (UVa) def. Jeff Groslimond (FSU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Marko Miklo (UVa) def. Chip Webb (FSU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Nick Meythaler (UVa) def. Chris Westerhof (FSU) 7-6(4), 6-2
6. Darrin Cohen (UVa) def. J.P. Bounassar (FSU) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles:
1. No. 22 Groslimond/Westerhof (FSU) def. No. 17 Rizza/Meythaler (UVa) 8-2
2. Cloer/Sucupira (FSU) def. Miklo/Rozek (UVa) 8-3
3. Cohen/Stewart (UVa) def. Webb/Bassett (FSU) 8-0