NEW ORLEANS, La. – Senior Henrik Korsgaard had a break on the final point to clinch the win for the Virginia Tech men's tennis team on Sunday afternoon as the Hokies knocked off Tulane 4-3 on Sunday afternoon in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Tech got out to the early lead after securing the doubles point. Korsgaard and Alex Ribeiro made quick work of the Tulane duo on court one, winning 6-3. The Green Wave won it on two, leaving the deciding point at three. Ryan Kros and Matthis Ross teamed up to win it in exciting fashion as they were tied at 6-6 before going into the tiebreak to win 7-6(5).
Tulane tied it up at 1-1 with a win at six, but Mitch Harper claimed the straight set win at two over No. 90 Hamish Stewart, 6-3, 6-4 to put Tech back on top 2-1.
The Green Wave again tied it up with a win at three. Carlo Donato rallied at court four to get the point for the Hokies after dropping the first set 6-4 to Luis Erlenbusch. Donato came back to win the second 6-2 before outlasting Erlenbusch in the third 7-5.
Korsgaard clinched the win for Tech on court one where he downed No. 32 Ewan Moore. The Tech senior fell behind after giving up the first set 6-3. In the second set, Korsgaard trailed early, going down 2-1 before winning five of the next six games to secure it 6-3. Korsgaard led in the final set and was up 5-3 before being broken as Moore closed it to 5-4, but Korsgaard returned the break to win the set and the match.
The Hokies will be at home for the first time this season next weekend as they are set to host Appalachian State on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. Tech will also host Liberty next weekend on Sunday, Feb. 9 in a 1 p.m. match.
Singles
1. Henrik Korsgaard (VT) def. #32 Ewan Moore (TLN) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. Mitch Harper (VT) def. #90 Hamish Stewart (TLN) 6-3, 6-4
3. #47 Dane Esses (TLN) def. Alex Ribeiro (VT) 6-3, 6-3
4. Carlo Donato (VT) def. Luis Erlenbusch (TLN) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
5. Tim Ruetzel (TLN) def. Matthis Ross (VT) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
6. Akos Kotorman (TLN) def. Chase Bernstine (VT) 6-4, 6-0
Order of finish: 6,2,3,4,1*,5
Doubles
1. Korsgaard/Ribeiro (VT) def. Stewart/Kotorman (TLN) 6-3
2. Erlenbusch/Esses (TLN) def. Harper/Donato (VT) 6-4
3. Ryan Kros/Ross (VT) def. Moore/Benji Jacobson (TLN) 7-6(5)
Order of finish: 1,2,3