Jeremy Taylor (above) and his partner, Matt Story, prevented the San Diego Shockers from claiming their match against them. Taylor, along with Oscar Cutting, and Matt Story then went on to overcome loses at the top spots in singles action to claim the 4-2 win for the Tigers.
The Tigers (7-1) won 7-0 in both matches of the double header against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-4) in the Friday midday matchup. Memphis played two of their four consecutive home matches to start their February schedule. The Tigers came in without underestimating their opponents and started strong in doubles play.
“It was a good team effort,†tennis head coach Paul Goebel said when asked about the Tigers’ performance. “It was good to give all the guys on our team some matches.â€
Because the Lions have just five available players on their roster, only two doubles matches were played, and Jan Pallares and Patrick Sydow won by walkover in the first match. Turner Voges would achieve a similar result, also winning by walkover during singles action.
First match
The duo of Oscar Cutting and David Stevenson easily won 6-0 in the first match against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Then, the pairing of Jeremy Taylor and Marshall Sullivan won their match 6-2 to give the Tigers the opening point heading into singles action.
Dominant wins were earned by Marshall Sullivan, Chris Patzanovsky and Oscar Cutting, all defeating their opponents in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Patzanovsky improved his record to 5-1 this year. Cutting continues his remarkable start this year, currently 6-0 in singles play. He credits the rest of the team’s performance for his strong beginning.
“For me personally, I started the season well, but that comes from how well the team started as well,†Cutting said. “We just want to continue (our performance), and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.â€
Second match
After a 30-minute break, the Tigers continued taking care of business as they clinched the opening point in doubles action while only giving up one game in both sets. Matt Story and Turner Voges won 6-0, and Jan Pallares and Patrick Sydow earned their sixth win as a duo this year in a 6-1 victory, giving Tigers the 1-0 overall lead. Sydow said their chemistry together works due to a common knowledge of Spanish, as Pallares is from Spain and Sydow is Venezuelan.
“I think (Jan Pallares) and I play pretty well together,†Sydow said. “We played a lot of matches this season, and there’s good chemistry there.â€
Memphis continued their dominance throughout the day to earn the second 7-0 win of the day against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Voges was first off the court in the 6-1, 6-0 win. Story easily won 6-1, 6-0, improving his singles play record to 4-0 this year. Stevenson was the only player in singles action in both games, earning a 6-0, 6-1 win. Sydow swept his opponent 6-0, 6-0, and Pallares finished the day with a 6-1, 6-2 victory. Pallares is now 3-0 on the year, with three matches left unfinished (Jackson State, Old Dominion and Wake Forrest).
Preview for final two games of the homestand
The men’s tennis team now prepares for two Power Five schools, Michigan State and LSU. Michigan State is 5-4 on the year, and LSU is 6-1. The first serve against MSU is set for Friday at 6:30 p.m., and play begins against LSU on Sunday at noon. Both games will be played at The Racquet Club.
“These are two very good teams with a lot of good tennis history, so we are hoping to get big crowds for those two matches,†Goebel said.
