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Virginia Blanks VCU to Reach NCAA Round of 16
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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia men’s tennis team advanced to the round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the ninth consecutive year after a 4-0 victory over No. 32 VCU in a second round match Sunday at the Snyder Tennis Center. The second-ranked Cavaliers (26-1) needed just over two hours to dispatch of the Rams (23-5) to remain unbeaten all-time in home NCAA matches.
“I was really impressed with our play today,” said head coach Brian Boland. “We came out with a lot of energy in doubles. Then in singles they used the momentum and competed hard. I am excited about what we can do as we move to the round of 16.”
The Cavaliers opened the match by winning the doubles point. Alex Domijan (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and Mitchell Frank (Annandale, Va.) gave Virginia an early edge with an 8-5 win at No. 3 over Alejandro Argente and Jaime Vazquez. Julen Uriguen (Guatemala City, Guatemala) and Justin Shane (Falls Church, Va.) clinched the opening point with their 8-6 win at No. 2 over Max Wennakoski and Filip Svensson.
In singles, the Cavaliers came out strong and won all six first sets. Virginia’s lead was doubled early in singles play as Jarmere Jenkins (College Park, Ga.) didn’t drop a game in his match, posting a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 over Alexis Heugas. Drew Courtney followed with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 4 over Antoine Baroz to extend the Virginia lead to 3-0. Uriguen clinched the victory as he completed a 6-2, 6-2 win over Vazquez at the No. 6 position. In the three matches that were abandoned, the Cavaliers were up a break in the second set after winning the first.
“I was impressed with Virginia Commonwealth; they have an excellent team,” said Boland. “They can compete with any team in the top 15 or 20. They don’t get as many chances to do that because of their location and conference, but they can play with anyone. We knew it was going to take a strong performance for us to get past them today.”
The Cavaliers will travel to Athens, Ga., for the NCAA Round of 16 where they will meet either California or Texas Tech on Friday. Match time at the Dan Magill Tennis Center is slated for 4 p.m. It will be the Virginia’s first ever meeting with either the Bears or Red Raiders.
#2 VIRGINIA 4, #32 VCU 0
Doubles:
1. #5 Courtney/Jenkins (UVa) led #63 Heugas/Baroz (VCU) 7-5 DNF
2. Shane/Uriguen (UVa) def. Wennakoski/Svensson (VCU) 8-6
3. Domijan/Frank (UVa) def. Argente/Vazquez (VCU) 8-5
Singles:
1. #4 Jarmere Jenkins (UVa) def. #89 Alexis Heugas (VCU) 6-0, 6-0
2. #39 Alex Domijan (UVa) led Max Wennakoski (VCU) 6-4, 3-2 DNF
3. #2 Mitchell Frank (UVa) led Filip Svensson (VCU) 6-2, 4-2 DNF
4. Drew Courtney (UVa) def. Antoine Baroz (VCU) 6-3, 6-2
5. #82 Justin Shane (UVa) led Alejandro Argente (VCU) 6-2, 3-2 DNF
6. Julen Uriguen (UVa) def. Jamie Vazquez (VCU) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish:
Doubles: 3,2
Singles: 1,4,6