University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
NCAA Championships (Singles & Doubles)
Libietis Wins First NCAA Match
May 20, 2015 | Men's Tennis
WACO, Texas -- Tennessee senior Mikelis Libietis collected his first career victory at the NCAA Singles Championships with a third-set surge Wednesday at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center.
After fighting off two break points early in the third set, Libietis won five of the final six games in a 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-2 victory over UCLA's Dennis Mkrtchian.
Libietis relaxed down the stretch and started executing his finesse game, feathering drop shots and putting away volleys at the net.
Libietis will face Max Tchoutakian of Baylor in the second round Thursday. Libietis and Hunter Reese will also start the doubles draw Thursday against TCU's Nick Chappell and Will Stein. The Vols, the defending champions, are seeded fourth in the 32-team tournament.
After three first-round exits at the NCAA championships his first three seasons, Libietis finally earned the maiden tournament victory to prolong his All-American career.
"Having not won a match at NCAAs, there was some pressure," Libietis said. "I was a little nervous. I got it out of the way and start relaxing and playing the way I've played the whole year."
Libietis is now 25-3 this season and extended his winning streak to eight matches.
Libietis nabbed the first set quickly 6-2, capitalizing on some key double faults by Mkrtchian. Libietis had double fault troubles of his own in the second set. Mkrtchian took the second set in a tiebreaker after Libietis double faulted at 6-6.
Mkrtchian took early momentum in the third, reeling off big first serves in the opening game. Libietis felt the confidence swing in the Bruin's favor as he fell behind 15-40 on his first service game.
"I gave him the confidence and I had no confidence," Libietis said. "I was 15-40 down, and if I lost this game, I'm basically out of the match because he was going to get more comfortable. I just started to serve bigger and keep my mind off negativity. I started to mix it up and relax on my drop shots."
Elevating his play at the right time, Libietis served his way out of trouble in the game to tie the set 1-1 on his way to winning five of the final six games. He did not face another break point and broke Mkrtchian's serve twice.
