March 5, 2011

For video of UNCG coach Thomas Mozur's postmatch comments, click here.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Featuring a revamped lineup, UNCG won its Southern Conference opener for the third straight season, downing Wofford on Saturday 6-1 at the UNCG Tennis Courts.

UNCG coach Thomas Mozur tinkered with his doubles lineup with outstanding results, as the Spartans (5-3, 1-0 SoCon) – who had won the doubles point just once this season and only five doubles matches total – swept all three matches to take an early 1-0 lead over the Terriers (4-6, 0-1 SoCon).

The new No. 3 tandem of freshmen Chanon Varapongsittikul and Ahmet Sarioglu got on the board first, cruising to an 8-2 win over Jack Seiffert and Randall Heffron. Orcun Seyrek and Timion Meijs, playing together for the first time in their careers, picked up an 8-4 win over Tinus Van Wyk and Stuart Robertson at No. 1 to clinch the point.

Yaroslav Litus and Jacob Wright moved up from their usual No. 3 slot to No. 2, taking an 8-4 win over Alan Donald and Michael Schecter to complete the doubles sweep.

"We had to change some things," Mozur said. "We worked very hard on our doubles all week. We had some new combinations; actually, we only kept (Litus) and Jacob together and we switched 1 and 3, and it worked out. I kind of went on my gut, and I got lucky, I guess.

"A 6-1 win over a good quality team and being 1-0 in the conference is a good start," Mozur continued. "It's good to get the first win."

The Spartans kept the momentum from doubles going into singles play, as Seyrek wrapped up a quick 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1 to make it 2-0. Litus followed with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Robertson at No. 3, and Meijs finished a 6-1, 6-2 win over Schecter at No. 2 shortly thereafter to clinch the win.

Redshirt freshman Zach Reece remained undefeated in dual singles play with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Tom Wood at No. 6 to move to 5-0 on the season.  Playing at No. 4 for the first time this season, Sarioglu upped his dual record to 7-1, rebounding from a first-set loss to down Donald, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Wofford picked up its lone point at No. 5 singles, where Drew Superstien pulled out a dramatic 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 1-0 (11-9) win over Varapongsittikul.

The Spartans will step back out of SoCon play to host Longwood on Tuesday at the UNCG Tennis Courts at 3 p.m.

AGATE
UNCG 6, Wofford 1

Singles competition
1. Orcun Seyrek (UNCG) def. Tinus Van Wyk (WOF) 6-2, 6-2
2. Timion Meijs (UNCG) def. Michael Schecter (WOF) 6-1, 6-2
3. Yaroslav Litus (UNCG) def. Stuart Robertson (WOF) 6-3, 6-0
4. Ahmet Sarioglu (UNCG) def. Alan Donald (WOF) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Drew Superstein (WOF) def. Ch. Varapongsittikul (UNCG) 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 1-0 (11-9)
6. Zach Reece (UNCG) def. Tom Wood (WOF) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)

Doubles competition
1. Orcun Seyrek/Timion Meijs (UNCG) def. Tinus Van Wyk/Stuart Robertson (WOF) 8-4
2. Yaroslav Litus/Jacob Wright (UNCG) def. Alan Donald/Michael Schecter (WOF) 8-4
3. Ahmet Sarioglu/Ch. Varapongsittikul (UNCG) def. Jack Seiffert/Randall Heffron (WOF) 8-2

Match Notes:
Wofford 4-6, 0-1 SoCon
UNCG 5-3, 1-0 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,3,2,6,4,5)

- UNCG -