Freshmen Help Netters to Strong Start at Navy Invitational
ANNAPOLIS,Md.– The Razorback tennis team received solid debuts from a pair of true freshmen, and the Hogs took five of six singles matches against Navy Friday at the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md.
Freshmen Blake Strode and Taylor King joined junior Andrei Nicoara and sophomores Michael Jung and Jimmy Khougassain in posting straight-set wins for Arkansas. King and Strode also teamed to claim a doubles win.
“It was a good day for the Hogs,” Coach Robert Cox said, “It was great day for freshmen Blake Strode and Taylor King in the Razorback debuts. They played very solid.”
Strode, of St. Louis, Mo., defeated Navy’s Nate Nelms, 6-2, 6-0, while King, of Rogers, Ark., knocked off the Midshipmen’s John Waters, 6-1, 6-0. In doubles, they paired to beat Waters and Jason Hill, 9-8(4).
Nicoara improved to 2-1 on the young fall season with a, 6-3, 6-2, victory over Hill. Jung and Khougassain each moved to 2-1 as well. Jung beat Stanley Kahl, 6-1, 6-0, while Khougassain defeated Brandon Carter, 6-3, 6-2. Redshirt Freshman Brian Yanulis dropped his match, 6-2, 6-2.
In doubles, Nicoara and Khougassain fell to Kahl and Lai, 8-5. Jung and Yanulis were beaten by Carter and Nelms, 8-2.
“I was very pleased with Andrei’s play,” Cox said, “Michael Jung came out and played very well and Jimmy played solid as well.”
The Razorbacks continue competition in Annapolis throughout the weekend. The Hogs will play on both Saturday and Sunday, check www.hogwired.com for results.
U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
DATE: 9/16/05 PLACE: ANNAPOLIS, MD
SINGLES
USNA ARKANSAS WINNER SCORE
1. Nate Nelms VS Blake Strode AU 6-2, 6-0
2. Jason Hill VS Adrei Nicoara AU 6-3, 6-2
3. Stanley Kahl VS Michael Jung AU 6-1, 6-0
4. John Waters VS Taylor King AU 6-1, 6-0
5. Brandon Carter VS Jimmy Khougassain AU 6-3, 6-2
6. Adrian Lai VS Brian Yanalus USNA 6-2, 6-2
DOUBLES
1. Stanley Kahl VS Adrei Nicoara USNA 8-5
Adrian Lai Jimmy Khougassain
2. Jason Hill VS Blake Strode AU 9-8(4)
John Waters Taylor King
3. Brandon Carter VS Brian Yanalus USNA 8-2
Nate Nelms Michael Jung
