University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
UNC Greensboro
Men’s Tennis downs UNC Greensboro in season-opener
02.20.2021 | Men's Tennis
Bulldogs top Spartans 5-2 at home
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's tennis program officially opened its spring 2021 season on Saturday, defeating UNC Greensboro 5-2 from the Asheville Racquet Club.
"Delighted for the guys to be back on the match court," said head coach Tom Hand. "It's been way too long. Always happy to get a win, especially against a tough team like UNCG."
All three doubles matches were closely contested, and despite Oli Nolan and Sirawit Daosaengsawang falling just shy (7-6), the Bulldogs were able to take two of three and grab a key point leading into singles competition. Charlie Morkel and Leo Bierbaum topped Roger Rogowski and Cooper Wyatt 6-4 at the No. 2 flight, while Harry Thursfield and Rafa Serra hung on to win 6-4 at the No. 3 doubles position.
In singles competition, Asheville's No. 1 through 4 took care of business. Nolan opened up his senior season with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at the No. 1 flight. Morkel, also a senior, won his first set 6-2 before claiming the match with a 6-4 second-set victory. At the No. 3 singles position, Thursfield looked comfortable, cruising 6-1, 6-0. Meanwhile, Bierbaum battled it out with UNC Greensboro's Nico Grewe at the No. 4 flight, dropping the first set 3-6, but responding with a dominant 6-0 second set before taking the third and decisive set 6-4.
"Plenty of hard work ahead to reach the level I think we are capable of this year," Hand said.
Asheville will return to the court on Thursday, welcoming Tusculum to town for a match beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Doubles:
1. Nico Grewe/Ollie Palmer (UNCG) def. Oli Nolan / Sirawit Daosaengsawang (AVL) 7-6
2., Charlie Morkel/Leo Bierbaum (AVL) def. Roger Rogowski/Cooper Wyett (UNCG) 6-4
3. Harry Thursfield/Rafa Serra (AVL) def. Hugh Knapp/Christopher Johns (UNCG) 6-4
Singles:
1. Oli Nolan (AVL) def. Hugh Knapp (UNCG) 6-4, 6-4
2. Charlie Morkel (AVL) def. Ollie Palmer (UNCG) 6-2, 6-4
3. Harry Thursfield (AVL) def. Roger Rogowski (UNCG) 6-1, 6-0
4. Leo Bierbaum (AVL) def. Nico Grewe (UNCG) 3-6, 6-0, 6-4
5. Alexander Zuckerman (UNCG) def. Sirawit Daosaengsawang (AVL) 6-2, 6-4
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match