Michigan
Alabama
Wolverines Unable to Pull Upset Against Crimson Tide
2/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Michigan men's tennis was unable to pull the upset and remain unbeaten Sunday afternoon (Feb. 17), losing a 4-3 match to No. 26-ranked Alabama at the Hank Crisp Indoor Tennis Facility. The Wolverines (6-1) won a tightly contested doubles point but could manage only two singles victories in the defeat.
U-M jumped out to a 1-0 advantage by winning two of the three doubles matches, earning the team point for the seventh consecutive time this season. Senior Greg Novak (Stoney Creek, Ontario/Cardinal Newman HS) and sophomore Anthony Jackson (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet HS) posted an 8-6 victory over Nick Beuque and Brad Friedman at No. 3 to get things started for the Wolverines. Senior Henry Beam (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix HS) and freshman Matt Lockin (Lilburn, Ga./S.D. Independent Study) came from 5-2 down against William Boyles and Chris McRae to win 8-6 at No. 2 and clinch the doubles point. The Crimson Tide kept the Wolverines from the sweep as No. 42-ranked Max Belski and Stephen Mitchell beat juniors Chris Rolf (Midland, Mich./Midland HS) and Chris Shaya (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Saddlebrook Academy, Fla.) in a hard-fought match, 9-8(4), at the top spot.
Alabama shook off the doubles setback and rallied for the win with four singles victories. The Crimson Tide won straight-set matches at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5, and clinched the victory as McRae won a three-set battle, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(3), against freshman David Anving (Tvaaker, Sweden/Varsberg Gymnasieskolu) at No. 6. Beam, ranked 60th in singles nationally, upset No. 36-ranked Belski at the top singles spot, posting a 7-6(5), 6-3 win. Lockin remained Michigan's lone unbeaten performer in dual match action (7-0 mark), posting a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 win over Beuque at No. 4.
The Wolverines will look to rebound from the setback against No. 2-ranked Illinois Saturday (Feb. 23, noon) at the Varsity Tennis Center. This will be the Big Ten Conference dual match opener for both teams.
Following are match-by-match results:
Singles
No. 1 -- #60 Henry Beam (U-M) d. #36 Max Belski, 7-6(5), 6-3
No. 2 -- #96 Chris Gostek (UA) d. #99 Ben Cox, 6-3, 6-4
No. 3 -- Stephen Mitchell (UA) d. Anthony Jackson, 6-1, 6-4
No. 4 -- #107 Matt Lockin (U-M) d. Nick Beuque, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4
No. 5 -- Christian Broderson (UA) d. Greg Novak, 7-5, 6-4
No. 6 -- Chris McRae (UA) d. David Anving, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(3)
Doubles
No. 1 -- #42 Belski/Mitchell (UA) d. Chris Rolf/Chris Shaya, 9-8(4)
No. 2 -- Lockin/Beam (U-M) d. Boyles/McRae, 8-6
No. 3 -- Jackson/Novak (U-M) d. Beuque/Brad Friedman, 8-6
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
