[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs (15-2, 7-0 SEC) remain in sole possession of first place in the SEC and improved to 10-2 in indoor matches. Sunday’s match was moved indoors due to rain.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “We knew South Carolina was a good team and it would take our very best today, said Georgia head coach Manuel Diaz. “Our guys fought hard and won a tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles to clinch the point, and that gave us a lot of momentum. Nathan Pasha played a tremendous match at No. 3, but we still had close matches at Nos. 1 and 4. I’m proud of both of those guys for coming back from first sets and keeping their composure and fighting hard. It was great to see Ben Wagland clinch, and we felt comfortable with Austin about to serve for the match at No. 1.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia won a hard-fought doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. At No. 3, Wayne Montgomery and Paul Oosterbaan beat Andrew Adams and Sam Swank, 6-4, then matches at Nos. 1 and 2 came down to tiebreakers. At No. 2, Thomas Mayronne and Harrison O’Keefe beat Eric Diaz and Pasha, 7-6(4), but seconds later the seventh-ranked tandem of Austin Smith and Wagland beat No. 44 Kyle Koch and Thiago Pinheiro, 7-6(4).
[su_spacer size=”40″] In singles, Pasha made quick work of Pinheiro at No. 3, 6-1, 6-3 to give Georgia a 2-0 lead and extend his winning streak in completed matches to 10. The Atlanta native is unbeaten in singles matches since Feb. 1. No. 17 Montgomery then made it 3-0 with a 7-6(4), 6-1 win over Adams at No. 2. Montgomery trailed 4-1 in the first set, but rallied to win his 41st combined singles and doubles match this season. Wagland provided the clincher with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 113 Andrew Schafer at No. 4. Smith led Koch 5-3 in the third set, and matches at Nos. 5 and 6 were in the first sets when Wagland clinched.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs now have six shutouts this season, including two in a row for the first time this year. UGA is also 28-1 in the last 29 SEC regular season contests.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia will play one match next week against 17th-ranked Vanderbilt Friday at 5 p.m. at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Admission is free.
[su_spacer size=”40″] #5 Georgia 4, #47 South Carolina 0
[su_spacer size=”20″] Doubles (Order of finish: 3,2,1)
1. #7 Austin Smith/Ben Wagland (UGA) def. #44 Kyle Koch/Thiago Pinheiro (USC), 7-6(4)
2. #47 Thomas Mayronne/Harrison O’Keefe (USC) def. #70 Eric Diaz/Nathan Pasha (UGA), 7-6(4)
3. Wayne Montgomery/Paul Oosterbaan (UGA) def. Andrew Adams/Sam Swank (USC), 6-4
[su_spacer size=”40″] Singles (Order of finish: 3,2,4)
1. #30 Austin Smith (UGA) vs. Kyle Koch (USC), 2-6,7-6(3), 5-3, DNF
2. #17 Wayne Montgomery (UGA) def. Andrew Adams (USC), 7-6(4), 6-1
3. #15 Nathan Pasha (UGA) def. Thiago Pinheiro (USC), 6-1, 6-3
4. Ben Wagland (UGA) def. #113 Andrew Schafer (USC), 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Nick Wood (UGA) vs. Harrison O’Keefe (USC), 5-2, DNF
6. Paul Oosterbaan (UGA) vs. Thomas Mayronne (USC), 1-0, DNF