Virginia men's tennis wins dramatic championship match over UCLA; Jarmere Jenkins going for "Triple Crown"
The Cavaliers downed UCLA, 4-3, in the NCAA tournament finals last Tuesday at the University of Illinois to win the program's first outdoor NCAA title. It is UVa's 20th NCAA team championship.
The entire match came down to sophomore Mitchell Frank at No. 3 singles. To put his win in perspective, he lost the first set 6-0. A shutout. He played much better tennis in the second set to take it, 6-4. The third set began to take a turn for the worse and it looked like Virginia was going to lose its third outdoor
championship match in a row. Frank was down, 5-3, in the deciding match and it was match point. His opponent, Adrien Puget, had an easy shot at the net to close out the title for the Bruins. He got a little over eager, however, and his foot hit the net in his attempt. The judge caught a glimpse and awarded the point to Frank. From there, Frank put together an amazing rally and won four straight games to take the set and the championship for Virginia, 7-5.
"When he got the penalty, I could feel the momentum shift," Frank told reporters after the match. "I was
starting to think this is our time and fortunately I was able to get it done. To be a part of the first Virginia NCAA championship team is something I will be proud of for the rest of my life."
Virginia cruised in the doubles point as Jarmere Jenkins and Mac Styslinger won, 8-3, and Justin Shane and Julen Uriguen won, 8-5.
Virginia was in control in singles but began to fall apart after getting up 2-0 after Shane routed his opponent, 6-2, 6-2.
UCLA closed the gap as Bruins won matches over Alex Domijan, Styslinger, and Uriguen. At No. 1 singles, Jenkins won a tight match -- which ended up being important -- 7-6 (3), 6-3. Neither opponent gave an inch in the first set and the second set was closer than it appeared as Jenkins had trouble closing his opponent out.
"I am just so happy for the players, not just the current players, but the former players as well," coach Brian Boland said. They didn't have this moment, but we wouldn't be here today without them. I believe it was just a matter of time. I didn't know when it would happen, but this is a great moment for the University of Virginia."
Now, Jenkins is experiencing success in the NCAA individual tournament as well and is going for college
tennis' Triple Crown -- a team championship, a singles championship, and a doubles title as well. Jenkins is playing Ohio State's Blaz Rola right now in the singles championship. It is tied, 5-5, in the first set.
At the conclusion of the singles final, the doubles final will take place, where Jenkins will team up with Styslinger to face Chris Camillone and David Holiner, of Texas. Four players have won the Triple Crown since 1977 and the last to do it was Georgia's Matias Boeker in 2001.
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| Mitchell Frank |
championship match in a row. Frank was down, 5-3, in the deciding match and it was match point. His opponent, Adrien Puget, had an easy shot at the net to close out the title for the Bruins. He got a little over eager, however, and his foot hit the net in his attempt. The judge caught a glimpse and awarded the point to Frank. From there, Frank put together an amazing rally and won four straight games to take the set and the championship for Virginia, 7-5.
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| Brian Boland |
"When he got the penalty, I could feel the momentum shift," Frank told reporters after the match. "I was
starting to think this is our time and fortunately I was able to get it done. To be a part of the first Virginia NCAA championship team is something I will be proud of for the rest of my life."
Virginia cruised in the doubles point as Jarmere Jenkins and Mac Styslinger won, 8-3, and Justin Shane and Julen Uriguen won, 8-5.
Virginia was in control in singles but began to fall apart after getting up 2-0 after Shane routed his opponent, 6-2, 6-2.
UCLA closed the gap as Bruins won matches over Alex Domijan, Styslinger, and Uriguen. At No. 1 singles, Jenkins won a tight match -- which ended up being important -- 7-6 (3), 6-3. Neither opponent gave an inch in the first set and the second set was closer than it appeared as Jenkins had trouble closing his opponent out.
"I am just so happy for the players, not just the current players, but the former players as well," coach Brian Boland said. They didn't have this moment, but we wouldn't be here today without them. I believe it was just a matter of time. I didn't know when it would happen, but this is a great moment for the University of Virginia."
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| Jarmere Jenkins |
Now, Jenkins is experiencing success in the NCAA individual tournament as well and is going for college
tennis' Triple Crown -- a team championship, a singles championship, and a doubles title as well. Jenkins is playing Ohio State's Blaz Rola right now in the singles championship. It is tied, 5-5, in the first set.
At the conclusion of the singles final, the doubles final will take place, where Jenkins will team up with Styslinger to face Chris Camillone and David Holiner, of Texas. Four players have won the Triple Crown since 1977 and the last to do it was Georgia's Matias Boeker in 2001.
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