AUSTIN – The Cameron University tennis teams picked up a pair of huge wins over St. Edward’s University today on the Hilltopper’s home courts. The wins allowed the No. 14 CU women to improve their overall record to 15-2, while the No. 18 men are now 12-6.
The women did not get off to the great start as they gave up two doubles contests to the No. 33 Hilltoppers. The Black and Gold duos at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots were defeated 8-5 and 8-4, respectively. However, the talented tandem of Julia Puckhaber and Antonia Moberg earned an easy 8-2 victory over opponents Heather Brien and Mary Bain.
The Aggies changed their fortunes tremendously in singles play. Amanda Moberg outplayed SEU’s Alexandra Khadhzyan to grab a 6-2, 6-0 result. Puckhaber, nationally-ranked No. 25, came away with an equally impressive victory, thrashing Paige Rachel 6-0, 6-3 at the No. 2 position.
Florenica Tornero and Antonia Moberg were critical for CU’s success. Tornero got the better of Francesca Chahor at the No. 5 slot by a score of 6-2, 6-3, while Antonia Moberg bested Brien 7-5, 7-6 at the No. 6 position. Elvira Sholles came close to wrapping up victory at the No. 5 spot, but the match was suspended and left unfinished with Sholles up 6-2, 5-5.
The only singles loss for the Black and Gold came at No. 3. Sara Londono put up a fight, but could not get past Audrey Tompkins. Regardless, the Aggies were able to collect the 5-3 win over the Hilltoppers.
The men got started on the same note as the women, dropping two of the three doubles matches. Like the women, they surrendered the contests at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, but recently crowned Lone Star Conference Player of the Week Duje Janjic and freshman Dean Weigelt overcame Pedro Bronstrup and James Rogers 8-6 at No. 3.
Singles play featured one thrilling match after another. CU’s Nicolai Ferrigno and Gonzalo Garzon each came away victorious. Ferrigno rolled past Bronstrup 7-6(1), 6-2, while Garzon showed put forth a fine performance in taking out Rogers 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(7). Thomas Peixoto also pulled out a big win for the Aggies. The senior topped Ned Boone at the top position in an outstanding 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 result.
Janjic and Jorge Gerosi came up short in their matches at the No. 2 and No. 5 slots. The Croat fell 6-4, 6-4, and the Argentine went down in a heartbreaking three sets, recording a final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
With the contest tied 4-4, the deciding match would be left up to senior Mateus Campos. Campos dropped the first set, but took the second in an exciting turn of events. The Brazilian would go on to take the third set as well the match, showing huge heart and tremendous tenacity. He documented a final score of 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, permitting the CU men to collect the 5-4 victory over perhaps their fiercest regional rival in the No. 17 Hilltopers.
Cameron tennis coach James Helvey was extremely pleased with how his teams played in the day’s contest.
“Mateus won the men’s match for the guys. He was the last match on and one set down. He came back to win the second and then won the third. Thomas came up big as well,” Helvey said. “We had two great wins today. I’m very proud of how both the men and women played.”
Both Aggie teams will have a break from action until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28 when they take on Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Striech-Henry Tennis Complex.
