Wake Forest University
North Carolina State
Wake Forest Wins 5-2 Thriller Over NC State
3/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 29, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - Iain Atkinson, Adam Lee, Danny Kreyman and David Hopkins all won tight three-set singles matches as Wake Forest moved past NC State 5-2 Tuesday afternoon at Pullen Park in Raleigh, N.C.
The No. 35 Demon Deacons earned their second ACC road win of the season, improving to 8-7 (2-3 ACC), while No. 49 NC State stayed winless in conference, falling to 8-9 (0-5 ACC).
Wake Forest claimed a crucial doubles point, but NC State won the only two straight-set singles matches, meaning that the Deacs would have to work overtime to earn the win. In the end stamina proved to be the key, as the Wake Forest players took all four three-setters to win the overall match 5-2.
"We had to really fight to earn the win today," said head coach Jeff Zinn. "NC State has their lineup back healthy again, and they are a tough team to beat. For us to win four matches in three sets is a testament to how well our guys were able to stay focused."
The Demon Deacons jumped out to a 1-0 lead by taking a hotly-contested doubles point. Less than an hour after finding out that they had jumped into the ITA doubles rankings for the first time, Wake's 36th-ranked team of Iain Atkinson and David Hopkins played like they belonged there, staying perfect on the year by taking down Dominic Hodgson and Rob Lowe 8-6 at the No. 1 position.
Danny Kreyman and Jonathan Wolff clinched the point at No. 2 for the Deacs with narrow 9-8 (4) victory over Sean Weber and Julian Sullivan. Wolff and Kreyman improve to 14-6 this season.
Hodgson tied the match at 1-1 with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Wolff at No. 1. Atkinson restored the Demon Deacon advantage on Court 3 where he shook off a rough second set to take down Rafael Paez 6-0, 5-7, 6-0.
Minutes later, State again evened the score as Jaime Pulgar closed out a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tripper Carleton at the No. 2 spot.
Freshman Adam Lee gutted out a tough three-setter at the bottom position, taking down Dave Thomson 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to put the Demon Deacons on the verge of clinching. That left only No. 4 and No. 5 were left on the court, with both just starting their third sets.
Kreyman picked up the clinching point for Wake Forest at No. 4 singles, breaking Julian Sullivan to take a 5-3 lead in the third set and successfully serving it out to get the win for the Deacs.
Hopkins finished up minutes later on Court 5, closing out Ivan Sanchez 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
The Demon Deacons will host two matches this weekend as the Floridian ACC teams come to town. Wake takes on Miami on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Florida State on Sunday at noon.
For up-to-the minute Wake Forest tennis news, follow the Deacs on Twitter @WakeTennis or twitter.com/WakeTennis
#35 Wake Forest 5, #59 NC State 2
Singles
1. Dominic Hodgson (NCSU) def. #63 Jonathan Wolff (WF) 6-4, 6-1
2. Jaime Pulgar (NCSU) def. #113 Tripper Carleton (WF) 6-4, 6-4
3. Iain Atkinson (WF) def. Rafael Paez (NCSU) 6-0, 5-7, 6-0
4. Danny Kreyman (WF) def. Julian Sullivan (NCSU) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3
5. David Hopkins (WF) def. Ivan Sanchez (NCSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
6. Adam Lee (WF) def. Dave Thomson (NCSU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
Doubles
1. #36 Iain Atkinson/David Hopkins (WF) def. Rob Lowe/Dominic Hodgson (NCSU) 8-6
2. Danny Kreyman/Jonathan Wolff (WF) def. Sean Weber/Julian Sullivan (NCSU) 9-8 (7-4)
3. Dave Thomson/Jaime Pulgar (NCSU) def. Tripper Carleton/Zach Leslie (WF) 8-5
Match Notes:
Wake Forest 8-7 (2-3 ACC); National ranking #35
NC State 8-9 (0-5 ACC); National ranking #59
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2*,3); Singles (1,2,3,6,4*,5)
Players Mentioned
