TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 19th ranked Florida State men’s tennis team (8-0, 0-0 ACC) advanced to the final of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend with a 4-1 win over Texas Tech (4-1). The Seminoles will take on Tulane tomorrow at 11 am with a shot at advancing to National Indoors on the line.
“I thought that was the best we have played doubles all year,” said head coach Dwayne Hultquist. “Texas Tech is a good doubles team. I thought we played really well all the way through. We did a really good job starting out in singles getting the six first sets. Texas Tech showed a lot of heart being down 3-0 and still coming back to win three second sets.”
The Noles started the match out by taking the doubles point for the first time in their last three matches. Senior Aziz Dougaz and junior Alex Knaff took down the 17th ranked doubles pair of Bjorn Thomson and Parker Wynn 6-2 to get the scoring started. The doubles point was clinched as sophomore Chase Wood and Freshman Richard Thongoana took court three 6-3.
Florida State jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after taking all six first sets and matches on courts two and five. Senior Lucas Poullain dominated one again taking court two 6-2, 6-2. Junior Rana-Roop Singh Bhullar followed that up with his first ranked win of the season taking down No. 70 Bjorn Thomson 6-2, 6-1 on court five. Bhullar currently leads the Seminoles with six dual match victories.
The match got close as the Red Raiders captured court three and forced third sets on courts one, four and six.
Leading 3-1, Thongoana stepped up and dominated the third set taking it 6-1 and clinching his first match as a Seminole.
“Richard was able to clinch it. He was definitely a highlight today running away with the third set and closing it out. It is a good win over a good team and we look forward to tomorrow against Tulane.”
Florida State continues play in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tomorrow at 11 am against Tulane with a shot at advancing to National Indoors.
To keep up with the Seminoles, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or keep up with the team on social media through Twitter (@FSU_MTennis), Facebook (/FSUMTennis), and Instagram (@FSU_MTennis).
#19 Florida State University 4, Texas Tech 1
Singles competition
- Aziz Dougaz (FS) vs. Tommy Mylnikov (TTU) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 2-2, unfinished
- Lucas Poullain (FS) def. Ilgiz Valiev (TTU) 6-2, 6-1
- Parker Wynn (TTU) def. Alex Knaff (FS) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
- Richard Thongoana (FS) def. Artem Kapshuk (TTU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
- #84 Rana Roop Bhullar (FS) def. #70 Bjorn Thomson (TTU) 6-2, 6-1
- Chase Wood (FS) vs. Franco Ribero (TTU) 6-4, 4-6, 2-2, unfinished
Doubles competition
- Aziz Dougaz/Alex Knaff (FS) def. #17 Bjorn Thomson/Parker Wynn (TTU) 6-2
- Lucas Poullain/Sebastian Arcila (FS) vs. Jackson Cobb/Tommy Mylnikov (TTU) 4-5, unfinished
- Chase Wood/Richard Thongoana (FS) def. Franco Ribero/Ilgiz Valiev (TTU) 6-3
Match Notes:
Texas Tech 4-1
Florida State University 8-0; National ranking #19
