CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – In a grueling match that spanned nearly six hours, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's tennis team ended just short of Louisiana 4-2 in the 61
st annual H-E-B Tournament of Champions for their first loss of the season.
The Islanders (8-1) fought valiantly to win the doubles point, coming back from being down to secure a 1-0 lead to the match. However, Louisiana (6-5) was able to find space in singles play, toughening out the wins they needed to take the match.
It wrapped up play for the 61
st annual H-E-B Tournament of Champions, the longest running team tournament in the country, which was hosted at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club indoor courts due to weather.
"What a great event for Corpus Christi, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions is such a treasure for the community! The gratitude and respect we have to H-E-B I can't even begin to express as they have been the title sponsor for 61 consecutive years. That is supporting your community by action, and that is something H-E-B has done! The Corpus Christi Athletic Club was also a champion this weekend, making this great tournament happen by giving us their indoor courts! This club has become truly elite and such a first-class facility. Every team who played here said exactly that!"
Tom Berry/
Harry Fouzas came from behind at No. 1 singles to overtake Louisiana 7-5 to even the doubles field. Eyes then went to court three as
Matthieu Coignet/
Josef Zapletal looked to the clinch the doubles point and did just that as they grinded out a 7-6 (5) decision to give the Islanders the match lead.
The first three courts to play singles all went to a deciding set, with Louisiana taking points at No. 1 and No. 3. Berry notched his second victory of the day, securing his singles win at No. 2 after going down a set and roaring back 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.
With the match evened at 2-2, Louisiana was able to close out wins at courts four and six to clinch the match.
Nicolas Trebuchet was fighting at the No. 5 spot before being whistled down, leading it 6-4, 4-6, 1-0.
"We fought with all our hearts today and came up a little short. But to the hundreds of people who supported us this weekend, we give the strongest salute and gratitude with all our hearts!" said Moore.
The men will get back in action this week on the road, heading up north to face SMU and UT-Arlington in a swing through the Dallas metroplex.
Match Results // Louisiana 4, A&M-Corpus Christi 2
Doubles competition
1.
Tom Berry/
Harry Fouzas (AMCC-M) def. Oriol Fillat Giminez/William Jade (UL) 7-5
2. Samuel Kyjaci/Leonard Tramolay (UL) def.
Omar Suarez/
Nathan Favier (AMCC-M) 6-3
3.
Matthieu Coignet/
Josef Zapletal (AMCC-M) def. Vasil Dimitrov/Calin Postea (UL) 7-6 (7-5)
Singles competition
1. Oriol Fillat Giminez (UL) def.
Nathan Favier (AMCC-M) 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5
2.
Tom Berry (AMCC-M) def. Mason Landreth (UL) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
3. Samuel Kyjaci (UL) def. N. Niox Chateau (AMCC-M) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
4. William Jade (UL) def.
Harry Fouzas (AMCC-M) 6-1, 6-3
5.
Nicolas Trebuchet (AMCC-M) vs. Leonard Tramolay (UL) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0, unfinished
6. Darius Balan (UL) def.
Omar Suarez (AMCC-M) 7-5, 6-2
A&M-Corpus Christi Tennis
- 17 NCAA Tournaments
- 35 SLC Championships
- 4 Top-40 National Rankings
- 3.0 GPA 43 Straight Semesters
- Islanders have received a No. 3 seed at the NCAA Tournament three times
- Women's tennis has cracked the ITA top-75 national rankings three times
- Men's tennis has cracked the ITA national rankings 10 consecutive years
- Ranked nationally in NCAA DI as high as No. 35 for the men and No. 60 for the women
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