Texas A&M
Eastern Kentucky
Texas A&M Advances to NCAA Second Round
May 08, 2015 | Men's Tennis
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 5 Texas A&M men's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Second Round defeating Eastern Kentucky 4-0 Friday evening at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center. The Aggies (22-4) advanced to face-off against No. 38 Oklahoma State (17-9) Saturday at 3 p.m. for a place in the Round of 16 next week in Waco.
"You never know what you are going to do after being off for three weeks and despite the layoff our team came out pretty sharp and really took it to a good Eastern Kentucky team," Texas A&M men's tennis head coach Steve Denton said. "They challenged us in a few spots and I thought we did a good job getting out in front of them with the doubles point today."
For the 22nd time this season the Aggies opened play capturing the doubles point, senior Jeremy Efferding and Jordan Szabo were the first off the courts winning 8-2 on doubles court two. The 56th-ranked duo improved to 27-11 on the season, including a 16-6 mark in dual matches. The match's first point was clinched by AJ Catanzariti and Arthur Rinderknech on doubles court three. The freshman pair prevailed 8-2 to improve to 19-4 on the season, 18-3 in duals.
"Doubles play has been a real hallmark of this team all season," Denton added. "That point helps us get out in front and stay on top of our opponent moving into singles play. Moving back to the old format, playing to eight in doubles and playing advantage, changes the game. Matches are longer and a little more physical and I think we adjusted to that pretty well."
The maroon and white maintained the pressure on the Colonels as play transitioned to singles action, winning the first set on all six courts. No. 47 Efferding tallied the Aggie's second point with a straight set win on court one. The senior right-hander defeated Alex Alvaro to improve to 11-3 in dual matches and collecting the 95th win of his collegiate career.
Sophomore Max Lunkin took advantage of seeing his name on the A&M singles lineup grabbing A&M's third point of the day. The Russian won his sixth straight match to move to 9-1 this spring with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Juanjo de la Llera on court six. Junior Harrison Adams clinched the sweep for the Aggies, winning 6-2, 6-4 on court three. The 78th-ranked New Braunfels native picked up his fourth win this spring and 59th in his A&M career.
"Everyone in our lineup is capable of winning against anyone they will face moving forward," Denton said looking forward to Saturday's match. "The schedule has been favorable for us playing a lot of home matches. If we are able to come out on top of a good Oklahoma State team we won't have to travel really far for the next round. I like our chances because we are really fresh as a team overall."
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.
#5 Texas A&M 4, Eastern Kentucky 0
Singles competition
1. #47 Jeremy Efferding (TAMU) def. Alvaro, Alex (EKU) 6-0, 6-3
2. #84 Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) vs. van Flymen, Ramon (EKU) 6-4, 5-2, unfinished
3. #78 Harrison Adams (TAMU) def. Saidi, Daridge (EKU) 6-2, 6-4
4. #92 AJ Catanzariti (TAMU) vs. Mueller, Sebastian (EKU) 6-2, 4-3, unfinished
5. Jordi Arconada (TAMU) vs. Soares, Diogo (EKU) 6-4, 5-1, unfinished
6. Max Lunkin (TAMU) def. de la Llera, Juanjo (EKU) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #10 Harrison Adams/Shane Vinsant (TAMU) vs. Mueller, Sebastian/de la Llera, Juanjo (EKU) 7-3, unfinished
2. #56 Jeremy Efferding/Jordan Szabo (TAMU) def. Alvaro, Alex/Asis, Diego (EKU) 8-2
3. AJ Catanzariti/Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) def. van Flymen, Ramon/Soares, Diogo (EKU) 8-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 3); Singles (1, 6, 3)
Players Mentioned
