TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 19th ranked Florida State men’s tennis team (8-1) suffered their first loss of the season to Tulane (4-0) in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend championship match.
“There were four good teams here this weekend,” said head coach Dwayne Hultquist. “We had a good win yesterday. I did not think we played as good in singles today as yesterday, especially in the beginning. The crucial part of the match was the end of the first two sets. Tulane did a great job of capitalizing and winning on courts four and five.”
For the second match in a row and seventh time this season, the Noles won the doubles point. Florida State dominated courts one and three taking both of them 6-2 en route to an early 1-0 lead.
Redshirt senior Lucas Poullain gave the Garnet and Gold a quick 2-0 lead with another straight-set win, this time over No. 42 Luis Erlenbush. It was Poullain’s second-ranked win this season. He has now won 29 of his last 30 dual matches dating back to the 2018 season.
Tulane turned things around taking the next four courts. They started with court three, taking it 6-1, 6-4. The Green Wave tied it with another straight-set win on court four.
With the match coming down to the end Tulane took court five to take their first lead of the match. Senior Aziz Dougaz and sophomore Chase Wood headed to a third set and were tied 2-2. Wood took a 3-2 lead as Dougaz fell behind 3-2.
Dougaz then injured his ankle causing him not to be able to finish the match. Tulane went on to win 4-2 and advance to National Indoors.
“It is unfortunate for Aziz,” said Hultquist. “I think he was in position to win the third set and at the time Chase was up a break in the third. It is one of those things that happens and is unfortunate but we have a long year ahead of us and a lot of tennis to be played.”
Florida State heads to Lake Nona, Fla. and the USTA National Campus for the second time this year to take on the Florida Gators next Saturday. The match is a part of the USTA’s College MatchDay Series and will be featured live on the Tennis Channel.
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).
Tulane 4, #19 Florida State University 2
Singles competition
- Ewan Moore (TLN) def. Aziz Dougaz (FS) 4-6, 6-4, 5-2, retired
- Lucas Poullain (FS) def. #42 Luis Erlenbusch (TLN) 6-2, 6-4
- Hamish Stewart (TLN) def. Alex Knaff (FS) 6-1, 6-4
- Dane Esses (TLN) def. Richard Thongoana (FS) 6-4, 6-3
- #58 Tyler Schick (TLN) def. #84 Rana Roop Bhullar (FS) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
- Chase Wood (FS) vs. #125 Tim Ruetzel (TLN) 2-6, 6-0, 3-3, unfinished
Doubles competition
- Aziz Dougaz/Alex Knaff (FS) def. Hamish Stewart/Ewan Moore (TLN) 6-2
- Lucas Poullain/Sebastian Arcila (FS) vs. Luis Erlenbusch/Tyler Schick (TLN) 4-5, unfinished
- Chase Wood/Richard Thongoana (FS) def. Akos Kotorman/Tim Ruetzel (TLN) 6-2
Match Notes:
Tulane 4-0
Florida State University 8-1; National ranking #19
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,3,4,5,1)
