May 17, 2011
#12 Jackets Roll Past #21 Huntington In Mobile
Mobile, AL - The #12 seeded Graceland men's tennis team opened play today against Huntington University (IN) in the NAIA National Tennis Tournament in Mobile, Alabama.
Despite an unexpected 9-8 loss by the #1 doubles team of Remy Caffardo (Romans, France) and Carlos Yanes (Caracas, Venezuela), the Jackets won out against Huntington University (IN) winning its other two double matches 8-2 and 8-2 and then sweeping the singles portion for the overall, 8-1 win. Stats are currently unavailable.
"They (Huntington University) were a very competitive team to open play up against," said all-american Remy Caffardo after the win. "We didn't play our best match today but we played well enough to advance. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow against Azusa," continued Caffardo. "After qualifying for the quarter finals three years ago and only the second round the last two years, we've got our sights set pretty high this year. I think this team has the potential to go as far as any team I've been on here at Graceland and maybe in Graceland's history," finished Remy. Caffardo, the third ranked player in the country according to the ITA, won his match 6-2 and 6-2 over the twentieth ranked player, Valadisav Khudizy from Huntington.
Head Coach Jerry Hampton had this to say after the win, "I was pleased that we won today but the match was much tougher than the score might have indicated. Our singles matches were what really carried us through to the win today," continued Hampton. "Everybody rose to the occasion and the experience we have of coming to the national tournament in the past is really a big thing for us. Tomorrow facing #5 seeded Azusa Pacific will certainly be a challenge but I think we've got a good chance. Our #4, #5 and #6 spots will be vital in tomorrow's match. We're looking forward to the challenge that tomorrow brings," finished Hampton.
Head Coach Jerry Hampton has brought his men's tennis team to Alabama for the NAIA national tournament six consecutive years and ten of the last twelve. Graceland last faced Azusa Pacific in 2000 in the second round of the NAIA tournament. The Cougars defeated the Jackets, 5-1.
Graceland will face the #5 seeded Cougars of Azusa Pacific University tomorrow morning at 9am. Stay tuned to www.GUjackets.com for continuing coverage of the Graceland men's tennis team as they push for a national championship in Mobile!
Despite an unexpected 9-8 loss by the #1 doubles team of Remy Caffardo (Romans, France) and Carlos Yanes (Caracas, Venezuela), the Jackets won out against Huntington University (IN) winning its other two double matches 8-2 and 8-2 and then sweeping the singles portion for the overall, 8-1 win. Stats are currently unavailable.
"They (Huntington University) were a very competitive team to open play up against," said all-american Remy Caffardo after the win. "We didn't play our best match today but we played well enough to advance. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow against Azusa," continued Caffardo. "After qualifying for the quarter finals three years ago and only the second round the last two years, we've got our sights set pretty high this year. I think this team has the potential to go as far as any team I've been on here at Graceland and maybe in Graceland's history," finished Remy. Caffardo, the third ranked player in the country according to the ITA, won his match 6-2 and 6-2 over the twentieth ranked player, Valadisav Khudizy from Huntington.
Head Coach Jerry Hampton had this to say after the win, "I was pleased that we won today but the match was much tougher than the score might have indicated. Our singles matches were what really carried us through to the win today," continued Hampton. "Everybody rose to the occasion and the experience we have of coming to the national tournament in the past is really a big thing for us. Tomorrow facing #5 seeded Azusa Pacific will certainly be a challenge but I think we've got a good chance. Our #4, #5 and #6 spots will be vital in tomorrow's match. We're looking forward to the challenge that tomorrow brings," finished Hampton.
Head Coach Jerry Hampton has brought his men's tennis team to Alabama for the NAIA national tournament six consecutive years and ten of the last twelve. Graceland last faced Azusa Pacific in 2000 in the second round of the NAIA tournament. The Cougars defeated the Jackets, 5-1.
Graceland will face the #5 seeded Cougars of Azusa Pacific University tomorrow morning at 9am. Stay tuned to www.GUjackets.com for continuing coverage of the Graceland men's tennis team as they push for a national championship in Mobile!