Sunday, 10/11/2009

Doverspike and Thompson earn tournament doubles championship honors

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Alabama men’s tennis team picked up four wins on the final day of play at the Harvard Fall Classic on Sunday. In addition, sophomores Ricky Doverspike and Michael Thompson were named Ned Weld Doubles Champions for their 2-1 record over the three-day event.

 

"I thought we didn't register as many wins as we would have liked this weekend,” said head coach Billy Pate. “The tournament was valuable for getting our guys some much-needed playing time and experience. I thought we were fairly good in doubles this weekend but certainly can improve in several areas."

 

In doubles, the Crimson Tide took two of three matches from its Crimson opponents. Doverspike and Thompson had a big 8-3 win over Harvard sophomore Alistair Felton and freshman Christo Schultz, while senior Houssam Yassine and redshirt freshman Michael Davis edged junior Aba Omodele-Lucien and freshman Andy Nguyen 8-6. Junior Trey Walston and sophomore Creighton Blanchard also competed in doubles falling to Harvard senior Michael Hayes and sophomore Davis Mangham 8-6.

 

The singles side saw a pair of wins for Alabama from Doverspike and freshman Harris Barnard. Doverspike cruised past Felton with a score of 6-3, 6-2, while Barnard picked up an easy 6-2, 6-2 victory over sophomore Liinus Hietaniemi. The Tide’s remaining five singles matches all resulted in a loss for the Crimson and White. Davis dropped a 6-4, 6-2 decision to Omodele-Lucien, while Thompson was topped 6-2, 6-1 by Nguyen. Yassine and Walston both fell in three-setters after winning the first set with Yassine losing 4-6, 7-5, 1-0(3) to Schultz and Walston falling 4-6, 6-4 1-0(7) to Hayes. Also competing in singles for Alabama was Blanchard, who lost 6-2, 6-2 to Mangham.

 

Next up, the Tide travels to New Orleans, La. for the Wilson/ITA Southeast Regional Championships beginning Oct. 22.

 

RESULTS

Doubles

Doverspike/Thompson (UA) def. Felton/Schultz (HU) 8-3

Davis/Yassine (UA) def. Omodele-Lucien/Nguyen (HU) 8-6

Hayes/Mangham (HU) def. Walston/Blanchard (UA) 8-3

 

Singles

Aba Omodele-Lucien (HU) def. Michael Davis (UA) 6-4, 6-2

Ricky Doverspike (UA) def. Alistair Felton (HU) 6-3, 6-2

Andy Nguyen (HU) def. Michael Thompson (UA) 6-2, 6-1

Christo Schultz (HU) def. Houssam Yassine (UA) 4-6, 7-5 1-0(3)

Michael Hayes (HU) def. Trey Walston (UA) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0(7)

Davis Mangham (HU) def. Creighton Blanchard (UA) 6-3, 6-4

Harris Barnard (UA) def. Liinus Hietaniemi (HU) 6-2, 6-2