University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Villanova
Huskies Clipped by Villanova, 4-3
2/24/2019 9:38:00 AM | Men's Tennis
MANCHESTER, Conn. – The UConn men's tennis team continued their strong doubles play on Saturday night against Villanova but came up just short in singles, falling 4-3 to the Wildcats at the Magic Lincer Tennis Club.
"The guys continued strong doubles play with John Holtmann and Jack McLister clinching the doubles point," stated associated head coach Reinaldo Valor. "We played the pressure points with decisiveness and confidence. The guys are playing great team doubles winning the last five out of six doubles points."
Villanova opened by winning at No. 3 but the Huskies would not be denied, winning at the top two spots. Senior Hank Hill (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) and sophomore Yili Zheng (Shanghai, China) continued to their strong season with their 18th win together, beating Tyler Roth and Thomas Dodson, 7-5. The duo have won five-straight together
The point was clinched at No.2 where sophomore John Michael Holtmann (Coral Gables, Fla.) and senior Jack McLister (Leesburg, Va.) bested Stefan Suarez and Tommy Mulfur, 7-6 (4). Holtmann and McLister improved to 13-8 together thanks to their third-straight win.
In singles, Holtmann and Zheng both won at the top-two spots to pull the match even at 3-3. Zheng won in three-sets over Suarez, 7-6 (4), 3-6 and 6-1 at No. 1. Holmann won his 17th match of the season at No. 2, defeating Roth in three sets, 7-6 (3), 3-6 and 6-1.
The match came down to the No. 4 match where McLister lost a tough three-set battle with Dylan Flanagan. Flanagan won the first 6-3 but McLister answered with a 6-4 win in the second. The third set went down to the wire with Flanagan winning 7-5
"Holtmann put together another big win at number 2, where he has been playing high level tennis," stated Valor. "He keeps raising his level each week it's been great to watch his growth. Yili stepped up with one of his best performances of the season to tie the match at 3-3."
"Jack battled out there today and fell a little short. His effort and leadership is what makes this team go. I know he will be in the position to clinch another match this year and no doubt he will clinch it."
The Huskies are next in action on Saturday, March 2 at Boston University.
Players Mentioned
