April 16, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis came back after dropping the doubles point to pick up a 4-3 win over No. 3 seed USF in the C-USA Quarterfinals, Friday. The Bulls were forced to forfeit matches at No. 5 and 6 singles due to injuries suffered while the remainder of the roster remained back in Tampa, but battled Memphis all the way to 3-3, leaving the No. 4 singles match on the court as the determining point.

Memphis junior Marten Tamla was up 5-1, but German Escallon battled back and broke Tamla to pull to 5-2. Escallon then held serve to cut the lead to 5-3, but despite battling off three match points, returned a shot that set up a short overhead smash for Tamla to advance the Tigers to their first-ever semifinal appearance in Conference USA.

With the win, Memphis improves to 15-10 on the season. It also sets up a rematch against Tulane, the No. 2 seed in the tournament. The Green Wave downed Memphis 4-1 earlier this season in New Orleans in the Conference USA Shootout.

Memphis 4, USF 3
Singles
1. Lee Taylor Walker, MEM def. Uli Kiendl, USF, 6-4, 6-3
2. Federico Barton, USF def. James Spence, MEM, 6-4, 6-4
3. Andy Maroldt, USF def. Alex Bucewicz, MEM, 6-4, 6-3
4. Marten Tamla, MEM def. German Escallon, USF, 7-6, 6-3
5. Mark Finnegan, MEM def. Karim Benmansour, USF, default (injury)
6. Alex Jago, MEM def. Matias Sigal, USF, default (injury)
Doubles
1. Kiendl/Benmansour, USF def. Walker/Spence, MEM, 8-4
2. Bucewicz/Tamla, MEM def. Silveira/Escallon, USF, 8-4
3. Barton/Maroldt, USF def. Jago/Luke Campbell, MEM, 8-5