Hogs Finish Solid Weekend at Navy Invitational
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Arkansas opened their fall season on the right foot this weekend, winning 16 matches over three days at the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md.
“It was good weekend for the Hogs,” Razorback Coach Robert Cox said, “I think we can play better, but this was a good start. Things are looking good and I’m very pleased.”
A pair of freshman provided solid play in their Razorback debuts. Taylor King and Blake Strode combined to go 5-1 in singles over the weekend, with King going 3-0 and Strode 2-1. The two also teamed to post a perfect doubles record of 3-0.
“I was real impressed with Blake Strode and Taylor King,” Cox said, “I’m real pleased with the way they played. They’re going to be good Hogs in the future.”
Sophomore Michael Jung improved to 4-1 this fall with his three wins in Annapolis. Jung and redshirt freshman Brian Yanulis also went 2-1 in doubles.
Junior Andrei Nicoara sported a1-2 mark over the weekend to move his fall record to 2-3. Sophomore Jimmy Khougassain won his opening match Friday, but dropped the next two, leaving him 1-2 for the weekend and 2-3 this fall. Nicoara and Khougassain were 1-2 in doubles.
For the weekend, Arkansas was 11 of 18 in singles, and five of nine in doubles against competitors from host Navy, Atlantic Coast Conference power Maryland and defending Atlantic-10 Conference champion Richmond.
Several Razorbacks will head to Waco, Texas next weekend for the Baylor Invitational, while others will go to Austin, Texas for the Texas Invitational.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COACH ROBERT COX COACH JIM LAITTA
DATE: 9/17/05 PLACE: ANNAPOLIS, MD
SINGLES
ARKANSAS MARYLAND WINNER SCORE
1. Blake Strode VS Andy Orban UMD 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
2. Andrei Nicoara VS Louis Lavalle UMD 6-3, 6-4
3. Michael Jung VS Nickolai Nielson UA 6-2, 6-3
4. Taylor King VS Andreas Vaage Nilsen UA 6-4, 6-0
5. Jimmy Khougassain VS Scott Fink UMD 6-3, 6-4
6. Brian Yanalus VS Mike Coleman UMD 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Andrei Nicoara VS Andy Orban UMD 8-5
Jimmy Khougassain Louis Lavalle
2. Blake Strode VS Josh Brauser UA 8-2
Taylor King Mike Coleman
3. Michael Jung VS Scott Fink UA 8-6
Brian Yanulis Andreas Vaage Nilsen
RICHMOND UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
COACH STEVE GERSTENFELD COACH ROBERT COX
DATE: 9/18/05 PLACE: ANNAPOLIS, MD
SINGLES
RICHMOND ARKANSAS WINNER SCORE
1. Bobby McNally VS Blake Strode UA 6-2, 6-2
2. Matt Stillwagon VS Andrei Nicoara RICH 7-5, 6-2
3. Sami Belakhlef VS Michael Jung UA 6-3, 6-2
4. Chris Louis VS Taylor King UA 6-3, 6-2
5. Michael Sommer VS Jimmy Khougassain UA 3-6, 6-3, 10-4
6. Brett Waikart VS Brian Yanalus RICH 1-6, 7-5, 10-4
DOUBLES
1. Matt Stillwagon VS Andrei Nicoara RICH 8-4
Bobby McNally Jimmy Khougassain
2. Sami Belakhlef VS Blake Strode UA 8-2
Michael Sommer Taylor King
3. Brett Waikart VS Michael Jung UA 8-4
Dave Berry Brian Yanalus
