University of Tennessee Athletics
Stodder Loses in 3 Sets to Rybakov at NCAAs
May 24, 2017 | Men's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. -- Tennessee sophomore Timo Stodder's season came to an end Wednesday in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championships at Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Stodder seized the second set but could not keep the momentum going in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 loss to 20th-ranked Alex Rybakov of TCU. Rybakov, who played No. 2 in the Horned Frogs' lineup, has not lost a match the entire spring season.
Entering the tournament ranked No. 30, Stodder trailed 3-0 early to start the match and was never able to get back on serve. In the second set, Stodder broke Rybakov's serve three times before finally putting the set away with a break at 5-4.
Rybakov took advantage of Stodder's errors and made few mistakes himself while pulling away for the third set 6-2 to advance.
Wednesday marked Stodder's debut in a collegiate national championship and almost certainly won't be his last. His ranking will be high enough to get into the ITA All-American Championships in October to kick off his junior year.
Stodder finished his breakout year with 24 wins and first-time All-SEC honors while leading the Vols at the top of the singles and doubles lineup.
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