University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
#20 Kentucky
Vols fall to #20 UK 4-3 at SEC Tourney
April 21, 2016 | Men's Tennis
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Tennessee men's tennis team nearly pulled off the upset but could not close the door Thursday in a 4-3 loss to No. 20 Kentucky in the second round of the SEC Tournament.
The Vols (12-17) clinched the doubles point thanks to a tiebreak win from freshmen Timo Stodder and Srdjan Jakovljevic and took four of six first sets before Kentucky (19-8) starting turning the corner.
Kentucky put two points on the board before Stodder tied the match with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Nils Ellefsen on court 3. Sophomore Igor Smelyanski scored his biggest ranked win of his career in just his third match back from injury, beating No. 39 Ryu Matsumura 6-4, 6-4 on court 2 to push the Vols ahead 3-2.
The match was decided by a pair of three setters on courts 4 and 5.
On court 4, freshman Srdjan Jakovljevic saved a match point to extend the match to another service game, but Trey Yates won the next game to earn a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory to tie the match 3-3.
Junior Jack Schipanski was the last Vol on court. He got down a break early in the third set and never recovered as Austin Hussey defeated Schipanski 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 to clinch the match for the Wildcats.
"Again, I thought the effort was tremendous," Tennessee head coach Sam Winterbotham said. "They fought til the end. I'm proud that they did that. They're not quitters. They can say that and mean it. The reality is this season didn't go the way we expected or wanted. I'll own that. Preparation for next season starts now."
The season could continue for Valero and Schipanski in doubles. They are currently ranked No. 23 and seek entry into the 32-team NCAA Doubles Championships next month in Tulsa, Okla.
#20 Kentucky 4, Tennessee 3
Singles
1. #29 William Bushamuka (UK) def. #67 Luis Valero (UT) 6-2, 6-1
2. Igor Smelyanski (UT) def. #39 Ryotaro Matsumura (UK) 6-4, 6-4
3. Timo Stodder (UT) def. Nils Ellefsen (UK) 6-2, 6-4
4. Trey Yates (UK) def. Srdjan Jakoljevic (UT) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
5. Austin Hussey (UK) def. Jack Schipanski (UT) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
6. Jake Stefanik (UK) def. Jack Heslin (UT) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Nils Ellefsen/Enzo Wallart (UK) def. #23 Luis Valero/Jack Schipanski (UT) 6-4
2. Igor Smelyanski/Jack Heslin (UT) def. William Bushamuka/Trey Yates (UK) 6-3
3. Timo Stodder/Srdjan Jakoljevic (UT) def. Gus Benson/Ryotaro Matsumura (UK) 7-6 (7-2)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,6,3,2,4,5)
