Men’s Tennis has season end in Big South Quarterfinal matchup

CLINTON, S.C. – The UNC Asheville men's tennis team was one of six teams to make the 2022 Big South Tournament, having its season end Thursday with a loss at No. 4 seed Presbyterian.

The Bulldogs, who were the No. 5 seed, fell by a score of 4-0 to the Blue Hose to wrap up the season with an overall record of 9-8.

"Full credit to a very tough Presbyterian team," said head coach Tom Hand. "Today, they were just a little bit better than us. It's always disappointing to lose but I have been very proud of our team this season. We have faced a number of challenges both from within and without but have continued to fight hard all year long."

Presbyterian was able to take the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 3, as No. 2 doubles was left unfinished with the score 4-3.

In singles action, Bruno Serra battled but fell 3-6, 3-6 at the No. 4 flight. At the No. 1 position, Harry Thursfield gave the Bulldogs life, taking set one (6-1), before dropping the next two 1-6, 3-6. Needing just one more point to clinch the tournament victory, Georgije Babic downed Sirawit Daosaengsawang 6-4, 6-4 to advance the Blue Hose to the semifinal round.

The loss puts a bow on the Bulldog careers of Leo Bierbaum and Quinn Fender - who were both locked in back-and-forth battles at their respective flights – along with fellow senior Daosaengsawang. The trio have been a fixture for Asheville the last four years, and their contributions to the program are greatly appreciated.

"I'm sorry to have to say goodbye to all three seniors, they have been a huge asset to this program for four years," Hand said. "But I am sure they will go on to do great things wherever they end up."

Presbyterian College 4, UNC Asheville 0
Singles competition
1. MILANOVIC, Dusan (PC) def. THURSFIELD, Harry (AVL) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3
2. BENSON, Max (PC) vs. REID, Jon Brann (AVL) 6-1, 5-7, 4-1, unfinished
3. DOMINGUEZ, Sebastian (PC) vs. BIERBAUM, Leo (AVL) 5-7, 5-4, unfinished
4. MATOS, Javier (PC) def. SERRA, Bruno (AVL) 6-3, 6-3
5. BABIC, Georgije (PC) def. DAOSAENGSAWANG, Sira (AVL) 6-4, 6-4
6. MCKINNEY, Nicholas (PC) vs. FENDER, Quinn (AVL) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0, unfinished

Doubles competition
1. BENSON, Max/MILANOVIC, Dusan (PC) def. REID, Jon Brann/BIERBAUM, Leo (AVL) 6-1
2. MCKINNEY, Nicholas/BABIC, Georgije (PC) vs. THURSFIELD, Harry/FENDER, Quinn (AVL) 4-3, unfinished
3. MATOS, Javier/DOMINGUEZ, Sebastian (PC) def. SERRA, Bruno/SERRA, Rafa (AVL) 6-2

Match Notes:
UNC Asheville 9-8
Presbyterian College 14-10
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (4,1,5)