Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Tulsa
Hurricanes Edge Bulldogs, 4-3
3/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 23, 2012
By Kate Whitney
katewhitney23@gmail.com
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 18 Fresno State men's tennis team suffered a 4-3 loss to No. 23 Tulsa on Friday night at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.
The Bulldogs (12-2, 3-0 WAC) were swept by the Hurricanes (8-7) at all three doubles positions giving Tulsa a 1-0 advantage leading into singles competition.
The `Dogs gained momentum to strike back but were unable to come up with wins early in the match and dropped a 4-3 decision to the Hurricanes. The Bulldogs' three victories were earned at the No. 1, 2 and 3 positions. No. 58-ranked singles player, Francis Alcantara came from behind to defeat the Hurricanes' 75th-ranked, Ashley Watling, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, at the No. 2 spot.
The final two victories came after Tulsa clinched the team win. No. 22 Remi Boutillier defeated No. 68 Japie De Klerk, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, at No. 1 singles. At No. 3, Jean-Charles Diame bested 97th-ranked singles player Clifford Marsland, 6-7 (13-11), 6-4, 3-0 (ret.), in a nail biter of a match.
Tonight's loss marked the first for the Bulldogs since Jan. 29 when they fell to No. 9 UCLA. The `Dogs return to the courts Saturday at 2:30 p.m. to take on Hawai'i and protect their undefeated conference record at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.
No. 18 Fresno State, 3 No. 23 Tulsa, 4
Fresno, Calif.
Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center
Singles
1. #22 Boutillier (FS) def. #68 De Klerk (T), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
2. # 58 Alcantara (FS) def. # 75 Watling (T), 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Diame (FS) def. #97 Marsland (T), 6-7 (13-11), 6-4, 3-0 (ret.)
4. Ive (T) def. Ayoun (FS), 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
5. Espejo (T) def. Leslie (FS), 6-3, 7-5
6.Jackson (T) def. deLaubenfels (FS), 6-3, 6-3
(6,2,4,5,1,3)
Doubles
1. #5 Marsland/ Watling (T) def. #65 Boutillier/Alcantara (FS), 8-6
2. Ive/Espejo (T) def. Ayoun/Leslie (FS), 8-5
3. Gheorghe/Jackson (T) def. Diame/deLaubenfels (FS), 8-6
(3,2,1)
Match notes
Fresno State 12-2, 3-0 WAC; National ranking #18
Tulsa 8-7; National ranking #23
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