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No. 23 Mississippi State
Red Raiders Stun No. 23 Mississippi State
February 01, 2015 | Men's Tennis
Connor Curry clinched the Red Raiders' biggest win since 2012, as Texas Tech upset No. 23 Mississippi State on Sunday.
February 1, 2015
STARKVILLE, Miss. - One day after putting together an amazing comeback against Rice, Texas Tech took the lead from the start and never looked back as the Red Raiders upset No. 23 Mississippi State, 4-2, at the McCarthy Gymnasium.
It is the highest ranked win for Texas Tech since defeating No. 15 Texas, 4-3, on Apr. 21, 2012.
"This was as big of a win that I have been a part of in my 23 years of coaching when you consider the circumstances," said Red Raider head coach Tim Siegel. "Having to move indoors, the courts, the delay, there were a lot of factors involved."
The match was moved indoors from the Pitts Tennis Center to accommodate inclement weather.
The Red Raiders (8-2) and Bulldogs (5-2) battled for six hours and 21 minutes. The match was so long because McCarthy only hosts two courts.
Felipe Soares and Hugo Dojas started the day for the Red Raiders. Dojas pulled the upset of the day, as he survived Mississippi State's No. 63 Tassilo Schmid, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5. No. 28 Soares followed suit with a huge win over Florian Lakat at No. 1, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3. Suddenly, Texas Tech led Mississippi State, 2-0.
"I honestly cannot say enough about Felipe and Hugo," said Siegel. "Felipe had match point in the second set and won the third 6-3. Dojas was down 3-1 in the third and came back for a 7-5 win in the third."
Alex Sendegeya and Jolan Cailleau were next up for the Red Raiders. Cailleau dismantled MSU's Rishab Agarwal, 6-4, 6-4 and Tech led, 3-0. MSU finally got on the board, as Juan Cruz Estevarena outlasted Sendegeya, 6-0, 6-7 (1-7), 7-5.
"Jolan played tremendous tennis, pulling out that straight set win," added Siegel. "I could not have been prouder of Sende. He battled."
Mata Cutura picked up MSU's second point with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Francisco Zambon. The Bulldogs would need to win the last singles match to send it to doubles.
"To see Connor Curry, as a freshman, to not only clinch the match but to play at the high of a level was tremendous. If you remember, we lost 4-3 to them last season," said Siegel.
Tech's Connor Curry and MSU's Robin Haden would battle it out. The two battled back and forth, trading breaks to a 4-4 tie. Then Curry breaks a 5-4 and serves for the set, 6-4. In the second, Curry picked up a break at 2-1 and followed with a strong service to lead 3-1. The two then traded breaks before the two pushed through to a 5-3 Curry lead.
Curry had triple match point, but Haden battled out of the jam and won the game to pull within one, 5-4. Then Curry survived triple break point for the 6-4, 6-4 win and a 4-2 victory.
The biggest win for the Red Raiders since Zambon's freshman season.
"We got to get better. We have got to keep fighting," added Siegel. "That is who we are. We have to be the biggest and best fighters we can be each time out."
#42 Texas Tech 4, #75 Rice 3
Starkville, Miss. (McCarthy Gymnasium)
Singles
1. #28 Felipe Soares (TT) def. Florian Lakat (MSU) 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3
2. Hugo Dojas (TT) def. #63 Tassilo Schmid (MSU) 6-1, 2-6, 7-5
3. Juan Cruz Estevarena (MSU) def. Alex Sendegeya (TT) 6-0, 6-7 (1-7), 7-5
4. Jolan Cailleau (TT) def. Rishab Agarwal (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Mata Cutura (MSU) def Francisco Zambon (TT) 6-2, 6-1
6. Connor Curry (TT) def. Robin Haden (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Juan Cruz Estevarena / Florian Lakat (MSU) vs. Felipe Soares / Hugo Dojas (TT) not played
2. Mate Cutura / Tassilo Schmid (MSU) vs. Jolan Cailleau / Alex Sendegeya (TT) not played
3. Rishab Agarwal / Robin Haden (MSU) vs. Connor Curry / Francisco Zambon (TT) not played
Records: No. 42 Texas Tech 8-2; No. 23 Mississippi State 5-2
Order of finish: Doubles (-); Singles (2,1,4,3,5,6)
T: 6:21
Players Mentioned
