Sunday, 10/11/2009

Crimson Tide earns one singles and one doubles win versus opponents from Notre Dame

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Alabama men’s tennis team stumbled upon a tough group of competitors from Notre Dame on Saturday at the Harvard Fall Classic but was able to pick up two wins on the day. The tournament, being held at the Beren Tennis Center, features players from Alabama, Harvard, Minnesota and Notre Dame.

 

“We didn’t quite win the close matches like we did yesterday,” said head coach Billy Pate. “Notre Dame played well, and they are very solid throughout their lineup. There were still some positives and very correctable areas where we hope to improve tomorrow.”

 

Coincidentally, all three doubles matches were decided by a score of 8-6 with the Crimson Tide duo of senior Houssam Yassine and redshirt freshman Michael Davis picking up the lone win. The Alabama pair downed the Notre Dame team of freshman Blas Moros and junior Matt Johnson. Sophomores Ricky Doverspike and Michael Thompson took on Fighting Irish junior Tyler Davis and sophomore Casey Watt, while Tide junior Trey Walston and sophomore Creighton Blanchard faced off with juniors Daniel Stahl and Stephen Havens.

 

In singles, Thompson improved to 2-0 in the tournament with another three-set win. The Alabama netter dropped the first set 6-4, but came back to win the next two by scores of 6-3, 6-1. Things didn’t go the Tide’s way in the remaining six singles matches as all resulted in a loss for the Crimson and White. Doverspike made a good run against Watt forcing the second set to a tiebreaker, but would end up falling in the match 6-4, 7-6. Davis suffered a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to Havens, while Yassine dropped a 6-2, 6-2 decision to Stahl. Walston edged out Notre Dame sophomore Samuel Keeton 7-6 in the first, but Keeton came back to take sets two and three with 6-2 wins in each. Irish freshman Michael Moore came out on top against Blanchard 6-2, 6-2, and junior David Anderson beat Alabama freshman Harris Barnard 6-1, 6-2.

 

 The Tide wraps up play in Boston Sunday when it takes on opponents from Harvard. Matches are scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. (CST).

 

RESULTS

Doubles

Davis/Watt (ND) def. Doverspike/Thompson (UA) 8-6

Yassine/Davis (UA) def. Moros/Johnson (ND) 8-6

Stahl/Havens (ND) def. Walston/Blanchard (UA) 8-6

 

Singles

Casey Watt (ND) def. Ricky Doverspike (UA) 6-4, 7-6

Stephen Havens (ND) def. Michael Davis (UA) 6-4, 6-2

Michael Thompson (UA) def. Blas Moros (ND) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1

Daniel Stahl (ND) def. Houssam Yassine (UA) 6-2, 6-2

Samuel Keeton (ND) def. Trey Walston (UA) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2

Michael Moore (ND) def. Creighton Blanchard (UA) 6-2, 6-2

David Anderson (ND) def. Harris Barnard (UA) 6-1, 6-2