We started at noon instead of 10 a.m.m due to the cold front that swept across the country and covered Florida as well. The coaches agreed to start with singles first due to the time change that could adversely impact FAU’s second match of the afternoon hosted by FSU. Doubles would only be played if the teams split the singles matches. Temperature at first serve was in the mid 40’s. Abundant sunshine and a brisk start on five of the singles six courts made for favorable conditions for the Owls. FAU won 5-0 with one singles match not completed.

 

At no. 1 singles, FAU’s Marc Abdelnour warmed things up with a 6-3, 6-2 win over FAMU’s Artiom Podgaini. Freshman Santiago Nieto followed up with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at no. 6 singles over Forest Jenkins. Josh Scholl stretched the FAU lead to 3-0 with his straight set win at no. 4 singles 6-3, 6-2 over Paul Paige. The clinching point for the Owls came at the no. 2 position with junior Dan Vardag’s victory over Simbarashe Happy 6-3, 6-2. With the team match decided, Lawrence Harradine played a third set match tiebreaker to increase the team score to 5-0 for the Owls. Harradine beat FAMU’s Michael Moore 7-6 (8), 2-6, 10-2. The no. 5 singles match was stopped with FAMU’s Joshua Cameron leading FAU’s Eddie Majcher 7-6 (5), 3-5.

 

“Our boys did a fine job of starting strong and remaining focused on FAMU. We knew that FAMU is talented and they always compete well so it was a good opening road test for us.”