Jan. 27, 2009

MOBILE, Ala. - Nicholls opened the 2009 season with a 7-0 loss at nationally ranked South Alabama on Monday afternoon.

Even though Nicholls (0-1) was swept, the Colonels forced three sets in three of the top four spots in the singles lineup against No.59 South Alabama. Also, the No.1 doubles pairing of senior Abhaya Prakish and sophomore Radu Ionescu also forced a tiebreaker scenario against USA's Marek Sramek and Romain Bocaret before falling, 8-7 (7-6).

Prakish also took USA's No.1 Sergio Ramirez to three sets before being defeated 6-1, 1-6, 6-0. Ionescu followed at the No.2 position in the lineup and forced a tiebreaker in the first set, but fell in two hard fought sets 7-6 (6-2), 6-4.

Junior Eric Fisher forced three sets against Bocaret, but fell 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. Senior Vlad Popa was the last to take his singles match to three sets before being defeated 6-1, 6-7 (7-9), 6-1 by Leo Dominguez.

The complete results are below.

Tennis Match Results

Nicholls University vs University of South Alabama
Jan 26, 2009 at Mobile, Ala.
(Bruce Davis Lubel Memorial Courts)

#59 University of South Alabama 7, Nicholls University 0

Singles competition
1. Sergio Ramirez (USAM) def. Abhaya Prakish (NICHM) 6-2, 1-6, 6-0
2. Marek Sramek (USAM) def. Radu Ionescu (NICHM) 7-6 (6-2), 6-4
3. Romain Bocaert (USAM) def. Eric Fisher (NICHM) 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
4. Leo Dominguez (USAM) def. Vlad Popa (NICHM) 6-1, 6-7 (7-9), 6-1
5. Aaron Krisan (USAM) def. Phenyo Matong (NICHM) 7-6, 2-6, 6-4
6. Hanno Bartsch (USAM) def. Sami Mouline (NICHM) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Marek Sramek/Romain Bocaert (USAM) def. Abhaya Prakish/Radu Ionescu (NICHM) 8-7 (7-6)
2. Sergio Ramirez/Leo Dominguez (USAM) def. Eric Fisher/Vlad Popa (NICHM) 8-3
3. Aaron Krisan/Hanno Bartsch (USAM) def. Phenyo Matong/Sami Mouline (NICHM) 8-4

Match Notes:

Nicholls University 0-1
University of South Alabama 1-1; National ranking #59

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,1,5,4,2)

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