Gamecocks Edge Bulldogs In Regular Season Finale

Sunday, April 16

Columbia, S.C.

11:00 AM

Mississippi State

South Carolina

MSU unable to hold off South Carolina as the Bulldogs cap the regular season in Columbia.

Gamecocks Edge Bulldogs In Regular Season Finale

April 16, 2017 | Men's Tennis

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Despite winning the doubles point to begin Sunday's contest, the 17th-ranked Mississippi State men's tennis team (17-7, 8-4 SEC), couldn't hold off 22nd-ranked South Carolina (20-5, 9-3 SEC) as the Gamecocks downed the Bulldogs, 4-3.

Sunday's defeat in Columbia officially closes the regular season as the Bulldogs shift their focus to postseason play. MSU turned in another successful season on the court, posting a 17-7 record overall and 8-4 record in Southeastern Conference play.

"We didn't do enough in singles to win today," head coach Matt Roberts said. "Tip your hat to South Carolina, they played very well today and I believe they have a great team. They didn't give us much in singles and made us work for everything. We played way too many loose points and gave a lot away early. We will get refocused with this week off and be ready for a great conference tournament."

MSU is idle until the start of the SEC Championship on April 26-30, hosted by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.

MSU continued its stellar play in doubles as the Bulldogs captured their fifth-straight doubles point. USC managed to take the first match from Nuno Borges and Strahinja Rakic, but were unable to overthrow the Bulldogs on courts one and two. Mate Cutura and Vaughn Hunter defeated Alex Fennell and Sam Swank 6-4, before No. 27 Niclas Braun and Trevor Foshey clinched the doubles point after a win over No. 22 Yancy Dennis and Harrison O'Keefe, 6-4.

"We have a lot of confidence right now in doubles play," Roberts said. "I am very pleased with how we've improved and performed in that area lately. Credit goes to our guys for trusting in the process and putting in the work to get better. "

The Gamecocks would strike back in singles play after a lackluster performance in doubles action. USC began singles play by taking five of the first six sets to gain an early advantage.

MSU's No. 4 Borges was the lone Bulldog to take his opening set as the sophomore carried the momentum to a straight-set win against No. 76 O'Keefe. The win improved Borges' record to a league-best 29-5, while also adding to his top 16-2 mark in dual-match play. Borges also earned his 19th ranked singles win of the season.

With the score at 2-0 MSU, the early first set defeats would start to plague the Bulldogs as the Gamecocks took two-straight matches over No. 123 Rakic and Braun. USC's Andrew Schafer would defeat Rakic, 6-3, 6-4, while Dennis would down Braun, 6-4, 6-4.

The score would be tied at 2-2 until the Gamecocks won back-to-back tiebreakers to officially clinch match at 4-2. USC's Alex Fennell would defeat Giovanni Oradini 6-4, 7-6(4), while No. 38 Gabriel Friedrich squeaked past Cutura, 7-6(4), 7-6(4).

Foshey would narrow the margin of victory for USC as the sophomore defeated Paul Jubb, 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-3. The three-set win for Foshey was his 10th singles victory of the season.

"I'm proud of what these young men have done this season and how much adversity they have had to overcome," Roberts said. "We will continue to learn and improve as a group and enjoy the process."

Up Next
No. 17 MSU will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., on April 26-30 as the Bulldogs compete at the SEC Championship.

Additional Notes

South Carolina snapped a six-match losing streak against MSU
It was MSU first loss in Columbia since 2009
MSU is 7-6 against ranked foes this season
When winning the doubles point, the Bulldogs are 10-4 this season
No. 4 Nuno Borges leads the Bulldogs in singles play with a 29-5 record overall
Borges has earned 24 ranked singles wins over his short career

Social Media
For more information on the Mississippi State men's tennis program, follow "HailStateMT" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

No. 22 South Carolina 4, No. 17 Mississippi State 3
April 16, 2017 – Columbia, S.C. – Carolina Tennis Center

Doubles

1. No. 27 Niclas Braun/Trevor Foshey (MSU) def. No. 22 Yancy Dennis/Harrison O'Keefe (USC) 6-4
2. Mate Cutura/Vaughn Hunter (MSU) def. Alex Fennell/Sam Swank (USC) 6-4
3. Gabriel Friedrich/Andrew Schafer (USC) def. Nuno Borges/Strahinja Rakic (MSU) 6-1

Order of finish: 3,2,1

Singles

1. No. 4 Nuno Borges (MSU) def. No. 76 Harrison O'Keefe (USC) 6-3, 7-5
2. No. 38 Gabriel Friedrich (USC) def. Mate Cutura (MSU) 7-6(4), 7-6(4)
3. Andrew Schafer (USC) def. No. 123 Strahinja Rakic (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Yancy Dennis (USC) def. Niclas Braun (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Alex Fennell (USC) def. Giovanni Oradini (MSU) 6-4, 7-6(4)
6. Trevor Foshey (MSU) def. Paul Jubb (USC) 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 3, 4, 5, 2, 6