SOUTH-BEND, IND.- No. 23 NC State men’s tennis defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Friday, Mar. 22 in a 4-0 sweep on the road.
The Pack headed into Friday’s match 11-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Statement from Head Coach Kyle Spencer: ” Really good performance from our guys today. Notre Dame is a very tough team especially at home and the guys were up for a big match and played well. We’re excited to continue the road trip to Louisville. We’ll rest up and get ready for another ACC battle on Sunday.”
The Pack were feeling lucky Friday night dominating its competition in both doubles and singles play. Blazing the way, Fons Van Sambeek and Braden Shick came out hot, refusing to drop a game in doubles against Fighting Irish opponents Brian Bisley, and Jayanth Devaiah (ND). The Pack took the lead 6-0 on court five.
Building off the energy from court five, No. 36 ranked duo Martin Borisiouk and Joe Wayand got back on their feet after a few matches apart, taking down Nil Giraldez and Chase Thompson 6-2 to clinch the doubles point for the Pack.
After taking an early lead the Pack carried the momentum into singles play. Introducing a new face to the singles lineup, the Pack welcomed freshman Jakub Katuch who made his college debut in South-Bend taking on Yu Zhang (ND). Katuch made strides taking the first set 6-3. Into the second set Katuch’s match was abandoned with wins at courts two, three, and four.
Junior Luca Staeheli took the court for the first time after making an appearance in ITA singles rankings this week at the No. 103 spot. Staeheli, who has been a huge part of the Wolfpack, took on this match starting off with a first set sweep 6-0. In back to back sets Staeheli defeated Fighting Irish opponent Chase Thompson. Putting a point on the board for the Pack in singles play.
No. 46 Robin Catry battled against No. 29 singles player Sebastian Dominko (ND). On court one, Catry claimed the first set 6-1. After taking the first set Dominko took the lead in the second. However, the match was abandoned 6-1, 5-6.
On court two junior No. 67 Braden Shick has been a continuous playmaker for the Pack this season. After a back to back 6-3, 6-3 win against Nil Giraldez of Notre Dame, Shick officially has won ten consecutive singles matches this season!
Junior Fons Van Sambeek nearing the finish line for the Pack took his first set 6-1. After giving up four games in a Shaky second set Van Sambeek started forging ahead giving the Pack its fourth point on the board to clinch the win for the Wolfpack!
Box Scores:
Singles competition
1. #29 Sebastian Dominko (ND) vs. #46 Robin Catry (ST) 1-6, 5-6, unfinished
2. #67 Braden Shick (ST) def. Nil Giraldez (ND) 6-3, 6-3
3. #103 Luca Staeheli (ST) def. Chase Thompson (ND) 6-0, 6-4
4. Fons Van Sambeek (ST) def. Jameson Corsillo (ND) 6-1, 6-4
5. Yu Zhang (ND) vs. Jakub Katuch (ST) 3-6, 4-1, unfinished
6. Kyran Magimay (ND) vs. Joseph Wayand (ST) 6-3, 3-5, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #13 Sebastian Dominko/Jean-Marc Malkowski (ND) vs. #78 Robin Catry/Luca Staeheli (ST) 3-4, unfinished
2. #36 Joseph Wayand/Martin Borisiouk (ST) def. Nil Giraldez/Chase Thompson (ND) 6-2
3. Braden Shick/Fons Van Sambeek (ST) def. Brian Bilsey/Jayanth Devaiah (ND) 6-0
Match Notes: NC State 11-4, 3-1 ACC; National ranking #23 Notre Dame 9-9, 1-4 ACC; National ranking #54
Up Next:
The Pack will continue its ACC road battle Sunday as they take on the Louisville Cardinals at the Bass- Rudd Tennis Center in Louisville, KY. Mar. 24 at noon.
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