NC State
Duke University
No. 16 NC State Wrap Up It’s Regular Season Agenda With A 4-2 Win Over Duke!
4/14/2024 9:49:00 PM | Men's Tennis
RALEIGH, N.C.- No. 16 NC State men's tennis closed out it's regular season agenda with a lot to celebrate! After defeating the Duke Blue Devils 4-2 Sunday afternoon, the Pack made history breaking its record for most ACC wins within a single season!
It was the perfect day for tennis in North Carolina. The Pack headed into it's last match coming off of a 4-0 sweep over rival North Carolina Friday night, the second time the Pack have swept the Tar Heels in their thirty game series. Reaching an attendance high the Pack had two back to back packed houses at the J.W. Isenhour tennis center setting an attendance record of 386 Friday night, and 331 Sunday evening.
The Pack honored its Senior Robin Catry, Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the match. Catry, who joined the Pack back in 2019 has had a lasting impact on the Wolfpack program. Receiving many accolades such as being a part of the ACC-All Academic team, two player of the week recognitions.
Statement from Senior Robin Catry: "I'm so glad I made this choice to come here, there are so many good memories from my journey with my teammates. I can't thank my coaches enough for all the work they put together, I couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere. I'm ecstatic that I can continue to come back. My journey is not over, and I will always continue to put in work in this beautiful place."
The Pack faced the Blue Devils back in January with a less than ideal outcome. Learning from its previous matchup, the Pack took the rematch as an opportunity to show it's strength before tournament play.
With the stands packed with fans the Pack took the court with high spirits! On court five juniors Braden Shick and Fons Van Sambeek shook the court, getting a quick 6-3 lead over opponents Farris Khan and Connor Krug (DU).
No. 3 ranked doubles team Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas (DU) challenged No. 72 Martin Borisiouk and Joe Wayand in doubles play, however the pair battled it out in a tight 6-4 match on court one. No. 65 Robin Catry and Luca Staeheli were left on court one to claim the doubles point for the Pack.
Making every moment count, Senior Robin Catry put on a show alongside junior Luca Staheli after a nail biting matchup against No. 56 Michael Heller and Andrew Zhang (DU). With the roaring crowd the pair clinched the doubles point 6-3!
After a fiery doubles competition the Pack used the fuel from the electric crowd and carried it into singles play.
Damien Salvestre got things started for the Pack! In control of the court, he took the first set 6-3. Carrying his momentum into the second set, Salvestre swiftly defeated opponent Alexander Visser (DU) putting the first singles point on the board for the Pack.
The Blue Devils put their first point on the board claiming singles win on court six.
On court two, Junior, Braden Shick, faced a tough first set, dropping 1-6 to No. 44 Pedro Rodenas. No. 79 Shick refused to back down without a fight. After dropping the first four games in the second set (DU), Shick picked up the following three games to shorten the gap. Despite Shick's efforts, Rodenas (DU) claimed the second set 6-4.
On court three Luca Staheli found his groove after dropping four games in the first set to Andrew Zhang (DU). Staheli, fighting for every point, took the first set 6-4. Into the second set, Staheli jumped into the lead taking the first two sets against Zhang (DU). Not looking back, Staheli held his lead and claimed his match with a 6-2 victory.
Shortly after the Packs victory on court three, No. 72 Fons Van Sambeek clinched the match for the Pack, winning in back-to-back sets against opponent Connor Krug (DU). Van Sambeek understood the importance of this match, and clinched the match for his teammate Robin Catry on senior night!
Box Scores:
Singles competition
1. #51 Robin Catry (ST) vs. #24 Johns, Garrett (DU) 5-7, 3-2, unfinished
2. #44 Rodenas, Pedro (DU) def. #79 Braden Shick (ST) 6-1, 6-4
3. Luca Staeheli (ST) def. Zhang, Andrew (DU) 6-4, 6-2
4. #72 Fons Van Sambeek (ST) def. Krug, Connor (DU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Damien Salvestre (ST) def. Visser, Alexander (DU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Khan, Faris (DU) def. Jakub Katuch (ST) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #3 Johns, Garrett/Rodenas, Pedro (DU) def. #72 Martin Borisiouk/Joseph Wayand (ST) 6-4
2. #65 Robin Catry/Luca Staeheli (ST) def. #56 Heller, Michael/Zhang, Andrew (DU) 6-3
3. Braden Shick/Fons Van Sambeek (ST) def. Khan, Faris/Krug, Connor (DU) 6-3
Match Notes:
Duke 17-8; National ranking #14 NC State 17-5; National ranking #16
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,5,2,3,4)
Up Next: With a victory over the Blue Devils, the Wolfpack picked up the No. 3 seed heading into tournament play, advancing them to the quarter-finals in the ACC tournament this week. The Pack will take the court Friday, Apr.19 at 12:30 PM at the Cary Tennis Park.
#PackRisin | @packmenstennis
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
6,5,2,3,4
Players Mentioned
