The New Orleans Privateers men’s and women’s tennis teams began their regular season with victories over Dillard University. The men’s team secured a 5-2 win, while the women’s team edged out a 4-3 victory.
In the men’s doubles competition, Gonzalo Cotter and Carlos Melgosa overcame a 5-0 deficit at flight three by winning seven consecutive games to secure the first point. Coach Burzis Kanga commented on their performance: “I told Gonzalo and Carlos it’s your perseverance and ability to stay focused. If you stay true to yourself, you can find your way back into a match. They took it one point at a time.” Jacob Rouleau-Mailly and Marius Gyllerup also contributed with a 6-3 win at flight two doubles.
During singles play, Cotter quickly won his match 6-1, 6-0, followed by Melgosa’s 6-1, 6-2 victory. Dillard narrowed the gap by winning matches at flights three and six. However, Rouleau-Mailly clinched the overall win for New Orleans after breaking Arya Siddharth’s serve late in the third set for a final score of 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Beltran Fernandez completed the day with a comeback win against Nour Ibrahim (7-6 [3], 2-6, 6-4).
On the women’s side, Kateryna Kalistratova and Nouray Khaled dominated flight one doubles with a 6-1 result. After Dillard won at flight two doubles, Danique Vermue and Naila Krifa earned the deciding point for New Orleans with their own victory at flight three (6-4). Singles wins from Fleur Sprengers (6-3, 6-4), Kalistratova (6-3, 6-2), and Khaled (6-2, 6-2) secured the overall team victory.
Coach Kanga reflected on both teams’ performances: “Dillard was really strong and they’ll be in the mix for a national ranking in NAIA,” said Kanga. I think we played well and challenged ourselves. We came through a critical doubles point and we executed a good gameplan.”
Dillard claimed wins in all three women’s singles matches from flights four through six; two of those matches went to three sets.
Both Privateers teams are scheduled to face Mississippi Gulf Coast next Wednesday at 1 p.m.
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