Texas A&M
Rice
Aggies Sweep Rice for Seventh Straight Win
Apr 01, 2015 | Men's Tennis
HOUSTON – The 8th-ranked Texas A&M men's tennis team swept No. 48 Rice 4-0 at the brand-new George R. Brown Tennis Center Wednesday evening in Houston. The Aggies won their seventh straight match and improved to 15-3 on the year; the Owls saw their four-match winning streak end, falling to 11-12 this spring.
The maroon and white opened the match winning the doubles point for the fifth straight match and 15th time this spring. The remarkable freshman duo of AJ Catanzariti and Arthur Rinderknech claimed the first match off the court winning 6-4 over Adam Gustafsson and Gustavo Gonzalez on doubles court three. The first year duo improved to a team-best 12-2 this spring. A&M's junior duo of Harrison Adams and Shane Vinsant were toppled on court one, 6-4 by Max Andrews and David Warren.
With the match's first point in the balance the senior tandem of Jeremy Efferding and Jordan Szabo prevailed in a tie-breaker to defeat Zach Yablon and Jamie Malik on court two. The nation's 33rd-ranked duo matched Catanzariti and Rinderknech's team-high 12 dual wins against just four losses.
After a brief intermission, the Aggies remained on the attack winning the first-set on all six singles courts. The race was on to claim the final three points of the evening as play was set to be halted once the team victory was secured.
No. 79 Catanzariti, back-to-back SEC Freshman of the week, stayed hot for the Aggies, winning his ninth straight match. The Pittsburgh native defeated Gustafsson 6-4, 6-0 on court three to put A&M ahead 2-0. The right hander paces the team with 13 dual victories and an impressive 30-8 record on the year.
No. 51 Adams returned to the A&M lineup and claimed his first win of the spring, besting Andrews on court three 6-3, 6-2. Just a few minutes later sophomore Max Lunkin clinched the match, defeating Gonzalez on court six, 7-6(7), 6-1. The clinch was the second in under a week for the Russian, securing the win over No. 13 Ole Miss Sunday afternoon.
The Aggies will host their final regular season match Friday evening against Auburn at 5 p.m. at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center. Prior to the match A&M will honor the four seniors on this year's roster; Efferding, Max Montague, Szabo and Jackson Withrow.
The Aggies will host their final regular season match Friday evening against Auburn at 5 p.m. at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center. Prior to the match A&M will honor the four seniors on this year's roster; Efferding, Max Montague, Szabo and Jackson Withrow.
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M men's tennis. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M men's tennis team on Twitter by following @AggieMTEN or on Facebook at Facebook.com/AggieMensTennis.
#8 Texas A&M 4, #48 Rice 0
Singles
1. Srikar Alla (RICE) vs. #59 Jeremy Efferding (TAMU) 4-6, 0-5, unfinished
2. Max Andrews (RICE) vs. Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) 5-7, 3-4, unfinished
3. #51 Harrison Adams (TAMU) def. Jamie Malik (RICE) 6-3, 6-2
4. #79 AJ Catanzariti (TAMU) def. Adam Gustafsson (RICE) 6-4, 6-0
5. David Warren (RICE) vs. Jordi Arconada (TAMU) 2-6, 6-4, 0-0, unfinished
6. Max Lunkin (TAMU) def. Gustavo Gonzalez (RICE) 7-6 (9-7), 6-1
Doubles
1. Max Andrews/David Warren (RICE) def. #13 Harrison Adams/Shane Vinsant (TAMU) 6-4
2. #33 Jordan Szabo/Jeremy Efferding (TAMU) def. Zach Yablon/Jamie Malik (RICE) 7-6 (8-6)
3. Arthur Rinderknech/AJ Catanzariti (TAMU) def. Adam Gustafsson/Gustavo Gonzalez (RICE) 6-4
Match Notes:
Texas A&M 15-3; National ranking #8
Rice 11-12; National ranking #48
Order of finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2); Singles (4, 3, 6)
T-2:30 A-300
Players Mentioned
