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Cavaliers Blow Past Georgia 4-0 to Reach NTI Semifinals
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CHARLOTTESVILLE – Second-seeded Virginia reached the semifinals of the ITA National Team Indoor Championship for the fourth consecutive year with a 4-0 win over seventh-seeded Georgia in a quarterfinal Saturday night at the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar’s Head Sports Club. The two-time defending champion Cavaliers continue their quest for a third straight title on Sunday when they meet third-seeded Ohio State at 3 p.m.
A facility record crowd of 1,250 packed the club on Saturday for the four quarterfinal matches.
“The atmosphere was absolutely electric tonight,” said Virginia head coach Brian Boland. “We have always said that we have the best fans in college tennis and they proved it again tonight. Our guys really appreciate the support and it really gives us a boost. We hope to see everyone back here and more on Sunday.”
The Cavaliers (6-1) took a 1-0 lead in the match by winning the doubles point. Lee Singer (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) and Sanam Singh (Chandigarh, India) got Virginia started with an 8-5 win over Christian Vitulli and Bo Seal at No. 3 doubles. Jamrere Jenkins (College Park, Ga.) and Houston Barrick (Brentwood, Tenn.) clinched the opening point with an 8-6 win over Drake Bernstein and Javier Garrapiz at No. 2 doubles.
Virginia jumped out to a quick start in singles, winning five of six first sets from the Bulldogs (5-1). In three of the matches, the Cavaliers won in straight sets to secure the victory. Drew Courtney (Clifton, Va.) topped Bernstein 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 singles, Singh downed Garrapiz 6-3, 6-3 at No. 2 singles and Michael Shabaz (Fairfax, Va.) defeated Nate Schnugg 6-4, 7-5 at No. 1 singles.
The match was a rematch of last year’s National Team Indoor final in Chicago. Sunday’s match with the Buckeyes is a rematch of the 2008 NTI final.
“We played a great match from doubles down on to singles,” said Boland. “We have a lot of respect for Georgia as their history and tradition speaks for itself. This was a great win, but we now need to focus on a tough Ohio State team tomorrow.”
Ohio State reached the semifinals by rallying from a 3-0 deficit to top No. 11 seed Florida 4-3. Sunday’s first semifinal (noon) pits No. 5 seed Tennessee against No. 8 seed Texas. The Volunteers topped No. 4 seed UCLA 4-2 on Saturday, while the Longhorns upset top-seeded USC 4-2.
In addition to the two semifinal matches on Sunday (noon and 3 p.m.), there are also six consolation matches. Play begins at 9 a.m. and admission is free.
No. 2 Virginia 4, No. 7 Georgia 0
Doubles:
1. Courtney/Shabaz (UVa) vs. Hunt/Schnugg (UGA) 8-8 DNF
2. Barrick/Jenkins (UVa) def. Bernstein/Garrapiz (UGA) 8-6
3. Singh/Singer (UVa) def. Vitulli/Seal (UGA) 8-5
Singles:
1. #3 Michael Shabaz (UVa) def. Nate Schnugg (UGA) 6-4, 7-5
2. #12 Sanam Singh (UVa) def. #45 Javier Garrapiz (UGA) 6-3, 6-3
3. #16 Jarmere Jenkins (UVa) led Jamie Hunt (UGA) 6-4, 5-4 DNF
4. #31 Drew Courtney (UVa) def. #60 Drake Bernstein (UGA) 6-4, 5-4
5. Bo Seal (UGA) led #58 Houston Barrick (UVa) 6-3, 2-5 DNF
6. #28 Lee Singer (UVa) led Christian Vitulli (UGA) 6-4, 4-3 DNF
Order of Finish:
Doubles: 3,2
Singles: 4,2,1