Men's Tennis Gains Experience at Gamecock Invitational
October 18, 2007 | Men's Tennis
The Gardner-Webb men's tennis team gained some experience at
USC's Gamecock Invitational this past weekend. More than 200
student-athletes, representing 36 schools, competed in the event.
All eight of the Gardner-Webb men competed in singles competition.
The Bulldogs also had three doubles teams competing.
Evgeny Slesarev was the only Bulldog to compete in the A-1 singles
flight. Slesarev lost his first round match to fifth ranked Badr
Bouabdellah (UTCH) in straight sets, 6-1; 6-0. Slesarev rebounded
in first round of the consolation play to defeat Derrick Defazio
7-6; 6-2. However, Slesarev's play came to an end in the
Quaterfinals after losing to DmitryVlaskin 6-3; 6-3. Slesarev was
one of two Bulldogs that did not participate in doubles
competition.
Andrew Veeder competed in the A-2 singles flight, where he faced
off against South Carolina's David Wolff in the first round. Wolff
proved to be too much for Veeder, defeating him 7-5; 6-1. Veeder
also went down in the first round of A-2 consolation 3-6; 6-0;
9-7.
Rafael Altmeyer took part in the A/B singles competition. Altmeyer
lost his first round match to David Mellis (CCU) 6-3; 4-6; 6-4.
Like Slesarev, Altmeyer bounced back in the first round of the
consolation bracket to defeat Patrick Fediuk 6-2; 7-5. With
momentum on his side, Altmeyer blew past Dilshod Sharifi, 6-1; 6-0,
in the Quarterfinal round. Altmeyer's momentum ran out in his
Semifinal match where he fell to Dimitry Lomakin 6-2; 4-6;
10-5.
Taylor Ferrier participated in the B-1 singles flight. Ferrier fell
in the first round of B-1 competition to Nick Mourillo (AUB) 6-1;
6-2. Ferrier also fell in the first round of consolation play, 4-6;
6-2; 6-1.
Both Jamie Lawlor and Grant Van Rensburg shared similar fates in
the B-2 singles flight. Both Bulldogs lost their first round
matches; Lawlor - 7-5; 6-4 and Van Rensburg - 6-3; 6-4. Both
bounced back and win their first round matches in the consolation
bracket; Lawlor 6-4; 4-6; 6-4 and Van Rensburg 6-0; 6-2. The
Quaterfinal round didn't fare well for the Bulldogs. Lawlor dropped
his match 6-1; 6-0 and Van Rensburg fell 6-3; 6-2.
Ryan Bernthal and Josh Ray both participated in the B-3 singles
flight. Bernthal dropped his first round match, 6-2; 6-2, to Zach
Zola (BEL). Bernthal changed his fate in the first round of
consolation play when he defeated Rich Bailey 6-4; 3-6; 1-0(10).
Bernthal was unable to get a second win in a row and fell in the
Quaterfinal round 6-1; 6-3.
Ray, on the other hand, dominated his first match, 6-0; 6-0, over
Cody Simpson (PFEIF). However, Ray was unable to make it past the
round of 16 where he fell 6-2; 5-7; 6-1.
Van Rensburg and Veeder teamed up and competed in the B-1 doubles
flight. Veeder/Van Rensburg started out with two great wins, 8-4
and 8-6, which put them into the Semifinal round.
Veeder/VanRensburg played a great match in the Semis, but were
unable to capitalize on the win. They eventually fell, 8-6, to end
their doubles play.
Ray and Ferrier joined forces and participated in the B-3 doubles
flight. Ray/Ferrier won their first match 8-5 to advance to the
Quaterfinal round. In the Quarterfinals, Ray/Ferrier fell, 9-8(1),
to end their doubles play in the tournament.
Altmeyer and Bernthal also joined up to take part in the B-4
doubles flight. Altmeyer/Bernthal won their first round match, but
fell in the Quarterfinals, 8-5.
The team will be traveling again this week to play in the ITA
Regionals, Oct. 17-21, in Charlottesville, VA.
