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3/27/2006 Commodores Upset No. 61 MSU for First SEC Win NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The small but vocal crowd roared as Andy Mack forced the final MSU error that secured Vanderbilt’s first SEC victory. After their 6-1 defeat against No. 5 Ole Miss, the Commodores (6-8, 1-5) entered Sunday’s contest against the Bulldogs (4-8, 1-5) with aggression and determination. The bold attitude showed in the opening doubles round, where the Commodores took wins at all three positions, marking their second SEC doubles point. “I told the guys on Saturday that we have to get tougher. We’re beat up, we’ve got all kinds of minor injuries, but I told them I was tired of excuses and that we just have to find a way to get it done,” VU Head Coach Ian Duvenhage said. The Bulldogs recovered in the singles round to take three Commodores into three-set matches. Junior Nathan Sachs was able to down MSU sophomore Philippe Frayssinoux in a straight set victory (6-4, 6-2). The win was followed by a two-set loss from Nik Cromydas at No. 5 to Ryan Farlow (6-3, 6-2), keeping the Bulldogs within one match (2-1). Jordan Magarik was able to edge ahead of MSU’s Eric Lynn at the start of both sets (2-0), but was unable to fend off the Bulldog in the final games (5-7, 6- 7). The third sets had begun at courts 1, 2, and 3 during Magarik’s final set. Evan Dufaux was unable to regain the lead in his final set against Ivan Bjelica, falling 6-4, 2-6, 3-6. No. 1 Ryan Preston fell in his first set against Pierre Mouillon (6-4). Preston returned in the second set to take the tie breaker (7-6(6)), and followed with a sound win in the final set (6-3). The match was tied 3-3 as the clinching match came down to No. 3 singles All eyes were on VU’s Andy Mack as the lead flip-flopped throughout the final set at No. 3. After struggling with shoulder problems last week, Mack was able to grab two winning overheads to edge ahead of MSU’s Jose Carlos Pinto 5-3. “During the last three games I just liked the frame of mind he was in, I wasn’t really worried. I just knew he was gong to win based on his demeanor. He won by being aggressive,” Duvenhage said. Mack took the final point on a service break, winning at No. 3 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. The Commodores will look for another SEC win as they travel to Tennessee and Georgia March 31 and April 2. RESULTS Singles: |
