April 23, 2011

Results

Complete Results in PDF Format

TULSA, Okla. - Tiger tennis concluded its spring season on Saturday in the first semifinal final match of the 2011 Conference USA Championships where it suffered a 4-0 loss to 36th-ranked Tulsa. Memphis finishes the season with a 16-10 overall record, going 4-3 in conference play, while the top seed Golden Hurricane advance to the finals for the sixth-straight time.

Tulsa's 26th-ranked tandem Ashley Watling and Clifford Marsland kicked off doubles play by taking down Memphis' Jordan Smith and David Henry 8-4 the top flight, but the U of M responded with a win at the No. 2 position by duo Joe Salisbury and David O'Hare over TU pair Marcelo Arevalo and Japie De Klerk.

All eyes then turned to court three, where Leon Nasemann and John Taylor, who have lead the Tigers in doubles wins all season, gave it their best effort, but would get edged 8-6 by Grant Ive and Tristan Jackson. The duo wraps up the season with a 20-5 doubles record, tying the two netters with five former Tigers for 7th all-time in doubles wins in a single season.

Memphis netters were unable to rally in singles competition, as Henry, Taylor and Nasemann fell in straight sets to their Golden Hurricane opponents at the No. 5, 6 and 3 positions respectively, giving Tulsa the final three points needed to pick up the decision and advance to Sunday's championship match.

Tulsa boasts four nationally-ranked singles players and U of M freshmen O'Hare and Salisbury were giving the Golden Hurricane's No. 1 and 2 netters a tough test as play was suspended. O'Hare held a 6-4, 4-3 lead over #29 Marcelo Arevalo and Salibsury had forced a third set against #71 Japie De Klerk where they were tied at one game each.

Memphis' 16-win season ties the squad for fifth all-time in wins, matching the 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

36 Tulsa 4, University of Memphis 0
Singles competition
1. #29 Marcelo Arevalo (TLS) vs. David O'Hare (MEM) 4-6, 3-4, unfinished
2. #71 Japie De Klerk (TLS) vs. Joe Salisbury (MEM) 6-1, 2-6, 1-1, unfinished
3. #79 Ashley Watling (TLS) def. Leon Nasemann (MEM) 6-2, 6-4
4. #114 Clifford Marsland (TLS) vs. Johnny Grimal (MEM) 7-5, 5-2, unfinished
5. Grant Ive (TLS) def. David Henry (MEM) 6-0, 6-2
6. Tristan Jackson (TLS) def. John Taylor (MEM) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #26 Ashley Watling/Clifford Marsland (TLS) def. Jordan Smith/David Henry (MEM) 8-4
2. Joe Salisbury/David O'Hare (MEM) def. Marcelo Arevalo/Japie De Klerk (TLS) 8-6
3. Grant Ive/Tristan Jackson (TLS) def. Leon Nasemann/John Taylor (MEM) 8-6
Match Notes:
University of Memphis 16-10, 4-3 C-USA
Tulsa 18-7, 6-0 C-USA; National ranking #36
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (5,6,3)
Semifinal No. 1 of the 2011 Conference USA Men's Tennis Championship