Jan. 17, 2015
LAFAYETTE, La. - After it was able to withhold several momentum shifts throughout the match, the Lamar men's tennis team was able to score a comeback win, 4-3, over nationally-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette at the Cajun Courts Saturday afternoon.
"It was a really good college tennis match, there was momentum shift after momentum shift. My guys grew up today," said head coach Scott Shankles.
Lamar won its season opener while No. 66 ULL dropped to 2-2 on the season.
It all started with Lamar gaining the early momentum with a win in the first doubles match by the No. 29-ranked duo of Nikita Lis and Michael Feucht. From there, the Ragin' Cajuns were able take the final two matches to grab the doubles point.
"Michael and Nik were off the courts first and we had the early lead, which gave us a huge boost. Then Lafayette pulled one out to leave us at 1-1 for the doubles point," said Shankles.
Lis and Feucht defeated Coleman Wahlborg and Jarred Wyman, 6-3. Then Jeandre Hoogenboezem and Benny Schweizer fell to Jake Wyman and Damian Farinola, 6-4.
"Juuso Laitinen and Mikko Rajamaki had their opponent down 5-4 in the final set for the doubles point, but credit ULL because they broke, held and broke again," said Shankles.
Laitinen and Rajamaki fell in the final doubles match, 7-5.
"(ULL) held their momentum to start out in singles play, and Jusso was able to get off of the courts with a win to shift it back to us," said Shankles. "Soon after (ULL) won again to put them up 3-1. From there we took over the match."
To start off singles, Farinola was able to overcome Hoogenboezem, 7-6, 6-3, but Lamar's Laitinen was able to answer back with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Soon after Lafayette's Kramarov defeated Schweizer, 6-4, 6-3 to gain the momentum back.
Two of the final three matches went to a third set, and both had to force a third after losing the first set. Rajamaki downed Stauropoulo, 0-6, 7-5, 6-2, and Feucht defeated Jake Wynan 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. Lis finished of the match with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Jarred Wynan.
"We went through the same matches last season, and because of that we were able to do it and win against a nationally-ranked team, and rival at that," said Shankles. "After doubles went final we had players going to each other and saying we've been here, we can do this.
"To win a match like this was great. We definitely had some positives and definitely had some negatives," said Shankles. "We want to work out some of the kinks and use those tomorrow against LSU."
The Cards turn from one ranked opponent to the other, in No. 45 LSU. The Tigers have three nationally-ranked players in singles, Chris Simpson (55), Tam Trinh (67) and Justin Butsch (111). Trinh and Eric Perez both team up to claim a 52nd ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
"LSU is a tough team, and a very good (Southeastern Conference Team)," said Shankles. "We have to play hard, support each other, trust each other and play our game."
