University of Tennessee Athletics
Libietis, Reese Reach Doubles Semifinal
October 22, 2011 | Men's Tennis
Oct. 22, 2011
Tournament Central
Tournament Draw
BY AMANDA PRUITT
UTSports.com
Tennessee freshmen Mikelis Libietis and Hunter Reese won two more matches Saturday to advance to the semifinals of the USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships.
Playing in their first tournament together, Libietis and Reese knocked off fourth-seeded David O'Hare and Joe Salisbury 8-4 to remain in contention for the tournament title at the Goodfriend Tennis Center.
They face the 25th-ranked Indiana team of Josh MacTaggart and Stephen Vogl at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
The singles and doubles champions of the tournament receive automatic entry into the USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in Flushing, N.Y., next month.
THREE VOLS LOSE IN SINGLES
While Tennessee still has a representative in the doubles draw, the Vols lost all three singles matches in the round of 16.
Junior Edward Jones lost in the closest main draw match of the day, falling 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 to Kentucky's Tom Jomby.
Jones broke Jomby twice in the first set but could not consolidate the break either time, including when he was serving for the set at 5-4.
"It was very disappointing," Jones said. "I didn't have the same mindset as soon as I broke him. My mindset in the way I went out and played my service games."
While not the end result he wanted, Jones did see some good signs during the week, going 3-1 in singles and reaching the doubles quarterfinals with freshman Brandon Fickey.
"I got some good matches under my belt in singles and doubles," said Jones, Tennessee's only returning starter from last year's team. "Trying to get ready for the spring, it's interesting to see where other schools are at at this time. I take positives away because on another day I could have won that 6-4, 6-3."
Reese lost his match 6-4, 6-4 to Andrew Carter of Louisville, and Libietis finished the day with a 6-3, 7-6 (6) loss to Panav Jha of Kentucky despite having chances to win the tiebreaker and force a third set. It was his Libietis' first career loss in nine collegiate matches.
Tennessee head coach Sam Winterbotham hopes this weekend has been a learning experience for his young squad. With four of eight Vols playing this weekend freshman, the growing up has to take place quickly with the dual-match season just three months away.
For coaches and players, expectations at Tennessee haven't changed with the new-look lineup.
"I feel the same about Tennessee," Tennessee head coach Sam Winterbotham said. "I feel the same way about what this team should be accomplishing. There is a time for guys to grow and understand. We've got to allow that process to take place, but they better get it.
"Again, we're putting ourselves in position this fall. I'm hoping the experience they're getting allows them to take these opportunities later. Right now, they're getting the opportunities, but not taking them."
STILL IN ACTION
While the Vols are finished in the singles main draw, there are still matches to be played in consolation.
Fickey and sophomore Jarryd Chaplin both won two more matches Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals of the backdraw.
Fickey, a Knoxville native, is set to play MTSU's Elfore Zito, and Chaplin will face Vanderbilt's Michael Retta. Both matches start at 8:30 a.m. at Goodfriend Tennis Center.
USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships
Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee's Results
Main Draw Singles
Round of 16
[9-16] Tom Jomby, UK, def. Edward Jones, UT, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
Panav Jha, UK, def. Mikelis Libietis, UT, 6-3, 7-6 (6)
[9-16] Andrew Carter, UL, def. Hunter Reese, UT, 6-4, 6-4
Main Draw Doubles
Round of 16
[6] Mikelis Libietis/Hunter Reese, UT, def. Alejandro Gomez/Panav Jha, UK, 8-3
Brandon Fickey/Edward Jones, UT, def. Jeremy Bonnevalle/Roger Ordeig, ETSU, 8-2
Quarterfinals
Libietis/Reese, UT, def. [4] David O'Hare/Joe Salisbury, Memphis, 8-4
[2] Josh MacTaggart/Stephen Vogl, Indiana, def. Fickey/Jones, UT, 8-5
Consolation Singles
Round of 32
Brandon Fickey, UT, def. Austin Woldmoe, Butler, 6-4, 3-6, [10-6]
Jarryd Chaplin, UT, def. Zach Ervin, Butler, 7-6, 6-2
Round of 16
Fickey, UT, def. Juan Ramirez, ETSU, 6-4, 7-6
Chaplin, UT, def. Alex DiValerio, Vanderbilt, 6-1, 3-6, [10-5]
Tennessee's Sunday Schedule
Main Draw Doubles
Semifinals
[6] Mikelis Libietis/Hunter Reese, UT, vs. [2] Josh MacTaggart/Joe Salisbury, Indiana, 2 p.m.
Consolation Singles
Quarterfinals
Brandon Fickey, UT, vs. Elfore Zito, MTSU, 8:30 a.m.
Jarryd Chaplin, UT, vs. Michael Retta, Vanderbilt, 8:30 a.m.
Players Mentioned
