May 10, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — On a beautiful day for tennis at the Courtney Tennis Center, the University of Notre Dame took its first step in the 2014 NCAA Championship this afternoon with a 4-0 sweep of Green Bay in the first round of regional play.
“We played really well,” said head coach Ryan Sachire “You know it’s been a little bit of a tough week with final exams, and a little bit more of a disjointed schedule than what we’re used to, but our guys did a great job preparing, and that’s the most important thing that we talk about every single day: putting money in the bank so that on game day you can take it out. Our guys did a great job today, and competed well, and decisively beat a really good Green Bay team, and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
The Irish won the doubles point without incident, only losing a combined four games to the Phoenix. Senior Greg Andrews and sophomore Alex Lawson were once again playing together at No. 1, and the 18th-ranked duo defeated Michael Tenzer and Howard Scott, 8-1. Senior Matt Dooley and sophomore Quentin Monaghan sealed the doubles point for Notre Dame with an 8-2 victory over Rowan Isaaks and Leo Gomez Islinger. Freshman Josh Hagar and senior Billy Pecor’s match against Michael Tebon and Joey Leto was abandoned at No. 2 (7-1).
Andrews dominated in his singles match at No. 1, defeating Tenzer without dropping a single game, 6-0, 6-0. Monaghan was only minutes behind him, defeating Scott at No. 3, 6-1, 6-2.
The match was clinched at No. 4 singles by Hagar, who beat Joey Leto, 6-2, 6-1.
“I think they kind of surprised us with the level,” said Green Bay head coach Mark Thomas. “We’ve seen them at spots in the fall, and they just performed at the highest level we’ve seen all year. Took us a little bit by surprise, but that’s a great team, 13th in the country. They performed at their best, and we have a lot to learn from them, so that’s our focus. We’ve got everyone back for next year, so we’re excited for the opportunities. We’re going to set up some goals the next week and use this match as a learning experience. Credit to Notre Dame, they played awesome top to bottom. They’re well coached, well trained – we have a lot to learn from them.”
Tomorrow in the second round of the NCAA regional, Notre Dame will face No. 38 Ole Miss, which upset Northwestern in in the first round earlier today. The action will begin at 1 p.m.
“It’s going to be a great match tomorrow,” Sachire added. “It’s two really good teams. We’ve played our fair share of SEC opponents this year, and up and down the line that conference has good tennis, and we know tomorrow is going to be a physical match and a tough match, but as also believe in ourselves a lot. We’re confident that if we play well, we’ll have a chance to win. But it should be a lot of fun.”
Singles
1. Greg Andrews (ND) def. Michael Tenzer (GB), 6-0, 6-0
2. Ryan Bandy (ND) led Leo Gomez Islinger (GB), 6-2, 3-0, unfinished
3. Quentin Monaghan (ND) def. Howard Scott (GB), 6-1, 6-2.
4. Josh Hagar (ND) def. Joey Leto (GB), 6-2, 6-1
5. Eddy Covalschi (ND) led Rowan Isaaks, 6-3, 2-2, unfinished
6. Eric Schnurrenberger (ND) led Jorge Gonzalez Soler, 6-1, 3-2, unfinished
Doubles
1. Greg Andrews/Alex Lawson (ND) def. Michael Tenzer/Howard Scott (GB), 8-1
2. Josh Hagar/Billy Pecor (ND) led Michael Tebon/Joey Leto (GB), 7-1
3. Matt Dooley/Quentin Monaghan (ND) def. Roward Isaaks/Leo Gomez Islinger (GB), 8-2
–Lauren Chval, Media Relations Assistant
–ND–