April 15, 2011
Results
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Despite losing the doubles point, the University of Maryland men's tennis team was able to upend No. 56 North Carolina State (9-13, 1-9 ACC) on Friday. The 48th-ranked Terps (11-10, 3-7 ACC) rallied to capture four of the six singles points to win the match 4-3.
Both Tommy Laine and Andy Magee dropped the first set of their singles match, but were still able to come out on top. Magee, positioned at No. 6 singles, defeated North Carolina State's Dave Thomson, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Laine, who sealed the victory for the Terrapins, defeated the Wolfpack's Julian Sullivan, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. The victory is Laine's team-leading 14th in dual singles matches.
John Collins, positioned at No. 2 singles, was also victorious on the day. Collins defeated Dominic Hodgson, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Jesse Kiuru easily disposed of Rafael Paez at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-3.
Maryland's head coach Kyle Spencer is very happy about the team's ability to fight back even after falling behind early.
"I'm really proud of the guys, especially the guys that were down," said Spencer. "To lose the doubles point and come back and win four singles matches, especially after losing the first set in two of them, it shows we have a lot of heart as a team."
The victory is a milestone for the Maryland men's tennis program, as it is the fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season. To add perspective on the accomplishment, the Terrapins defeated four ranked opponents over the previous four years.
Maryland's head coach Kyle Spencer credits the accomplishment to the team's work ethic in practice.
"It shows we have guys buying into what we are doing and we have guys who are willing to fight," said Spencer. "In practice, we have been giving 100 percent every single time we go out there. We don't give up. There is always going to be a first time, why not this team?"
The Terps will close out the regular season Sunday when they take on No. 34 Wake Forest (11-10, 4-6) at noon. The match will be held on campus at the Cole Tennis Courts (Check out @UMTerps for updates during the match).
Maryland is currently ninth in the ACC standings, but just one game behind the Demon Deacons who are in a three-way tie for sixth place.
