ATHENS, Ga. – Virginia Tech fell to South Florida, 4-2, in its first of two ITA Kickoff matches.
The Hokies dropped behind early, as they lost the doubles point for the first time this season.
In singles, Tech fought back with an impressive showing from the front half of its lineup. Ryan Fishback picked up his third win of the season on Court 1, after battling back from an early second-set deficit. Fishback again prevailed in two sets, 6-4, 7-6.
Alvaro Saez-Royuela Ariza doubled Virginia Tech's score on Court 3 with a three-set win. His 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win was his second of the season and brought Tech back into the contest, trailing 3-2 with Alex Ix and Michael Shepheard still to play.
In his season debut, Shepheard was pushing in the second set after winning his first when USF clinched the match on Court 5 against Ix.
The Hokies will return to the court on Monday at 10 a.m. in Athens to face the loser of No. 7 Georgia vs. VCU.
