Feb. 25, 2008

Complete Results

DELAND, Fla. - The Furman men's tennis team fell 4-3 to the Stetson Hatters Monday in non-conference tennis action.

Stetson took the early lead, winning the doubles point with victories at the number one and number three spots. Marcus Echtler and Filip Kricka topped Chris Rhyne and Andrei Chvetsov 9-8 in the top spot, while the duo of Hicham Laalej and Gokay Celik defeated Jason Basile and Daniel Knuase 9-7 at number three doubles. Andy Juc and Chris Motes earned a victory at the number two spot with an 8-3 win over Joey Jones and Serguei Boulanov.

In singles action, the Paladins were able to tie the score at 3-3, thanks to wins from Andy Juc at the number one spot, Sawyer Duncan at number five singles, and Michael Kociecki at number six. Juc defeated Echtler in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, while Duncan also downed his opponent, Boulanov in straight sets with scores of 6-2, 6-2. Kociecki fought back from a 4-6 loss in the first set to top Chris Swanteson 7-6, 6-4 to earn the point for the Paladins.

With the score tied at 3-3, Filip Kricka clinched the win for Stetson with a tough 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 win over Jordan Walters.

Furman, which was ranked as high as 64th earlier this season, fell to 1-6 with the loss as the formerly nationally-ranked Paladins have had to contend with a brutally tough opening schedule. Furman has grappled with third-ranked Georgia, 13th-ranked Tennessee, 14th-ranked Florida, 20th-ranked Alabama and #38 Georgia Tech all on the road. Furman's next two matches are also on the road against #56 USF and #26 Miami (Fla.).

Complete Results
Doubles
1. Marcus Echtler/Filip Kricka def. Chris Rhyne/Andrei Chvetsov, 9-8
2. Andy Juc/Chris Motes def. Joey Jones/Serguei Boulanov, 8-3
3. Hicham Laalej/Gokay Celik def. Jason Basile/Daniel Knause, 9-7

Singles
1. Andy Juc def. Marcus Echtler, 6-4, 6-2
2. Hicham Laalej def. Daniel Knuase, 6-1, 6-2
3. Joey Jones def. Chris Motes, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Filip Kricka def. Jordan Walters, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6
5. Sawyer Duncan def. Serguei Boulanov, 6-2, 6-2
6. Michael Kociecki def. Chris Swanteson, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4