Streak against App State remains intact

BOONE, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2013) – The 73rd-ranked ETSU men’s tennis team went to Boone, N.C., in search of its third win in three years against Appalachian State on Sunday afternoon, handling the Mountaineers inside the Deer Valley Racquet Club, 6-1.       

ETSU (3-2) took the doubles point with 8-2 and 8-4 wins on courts two and three, before rolling through singles with victories in the top five matches. Senior Juan Ramirez (Asuncion, Paraguay) and sophomore Rogerio Ribeiro (Sao Paulo, Brazil) had the most lopsided wins, each dropping just two games in two-set victories. Senior Jesus Bandres (Caracas, Venezuela) and reigning A-Sun Men’s Tennis Player of the Week Roger Ordeig (Gurb, Spain) cruised in straights as well, while junior Jorge Varon (Valencia, Venezuela) picked up his first dual victory of the season, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“I thought we played pretty decent,” Director of ETSU Tennis Yaser Zaatini said. “Doubles wasn’t great and we’re struggling at No. 1 a bit, but the team pulled together to sneak that point. As for singles, it was a pretty good performance. [Deer Valley Racquet Club] is a tough place to play. The courts are quick, but I though the guys adapted well.”

Ramirez and Varon got things started against App State (1-4), taking out Steve Karendal and Anderw McKinnon, 8-2. The ETSU duo – ranked No. 7 in the Ohio Valley Region – moved its winning streak to two matches. Ordeig and sophomore Ricardo Pabon (Bogota, Columbia) clinched the point, defeating Steve Lake and Jen-Willem Kleynhans, 8-4. Bandres and Ribeiro were left unfinished in a 6-6 tie against Zach Bost and Sebastien King.

The doubles momentum rolled through to singles, where Bandres, Ribeiro, Varon, Ramirez and Ordeig all took care of business. Zaatini was especially happy with Varon’s win, mentioning the junior was suffering from extreme sickness.

“Double kudos for Jorge,” Zaatini said. “He played with an extreme cold and pulled out a very tough win. He’s been playing as good as anybody all season, and was finally able to earn his first win.”

Varon broke through to move his dual singles record to 1-4.

The next time ETSU takes to the courts, it will be in Johnson City at the newly built outdoor tennis center in back of Summers-Taylor Stadium. That matchup comes in a little less than two weeks, Friday, Feb. 15, against No. 59 Georgia State.

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