Monday, March 8. 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 9
Tennis team continues hot streak
By Melinda Weaver
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
Kansas senior Luis Uribe hits a backhand shot. Uribe lost his match Saturday when he attempted to win his 100th victory. Despite Uribe's loss, the Jayhawks defeated the Cornshuskers 4-3. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazza/KANSAN
The Kansas men's tennis team increased its winning streak to six games this weekend because of an unlikely hero.
In the third set, Blakeney defeated Kai Rieke 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 as the team charged toward Blakeney for a victory celebration.
"I didn't know that my match was the deciding match, but there is always pressure when everyone is watching your match." Blakeney said. "In the third set, I was really getting tired, but my teammates helped pull me through. They gave me motivation and kept pumping me up so I could come back."
Coach Mark Riley said Blakeney reacted well to the situation.
"Quentin played outstanding," Riley said. "He played with great heart. He didn't play well in the second set, but he came out in the third and finished the job."
The match started slowly as the team lost the doubles point for the first time this season.
In No. 1 doubles, No. 12 Luis Uribe and Ed Dus lost to Dinko Verzi and Andrew Wisee 8-5, and in No. 2 doubles, Kenny Powell and Alex Barragan lost their first match of the season to Jorge Abos Sanchez and Lance Mills 8-4. The sole victory came in No. 3 doubles as Rodrigo Echagaray and Quentin Blakeney defeated Kai Rieke and Ryan Haith 8-6.
Uribe, hampered by an Achilles tendon injury that has bothered him all season, lost his second straight, falling to Verzi in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
"That's the best I have ever seen Dinko Verzi play," Riley said. "Luis has beat him a couple of times, but
that's part of being No. 1. When you're a top-10 player, people play better against you."
Powell continued his outstanding play as he defeated Mills in No.2 singles 6-1, 6-3.
"Kenny Powell played a great match," Riley said. "He showed a lot of senior leadership and beat a good player decisively. He pulled us back in because I knew if it came down to five and six singles, we could win the match."
With Powell's victory, the win fell into the hands of an improved freshman team that had led their team to victory.
Barragan defeated Roshan Fernando in straight sets 62, 62 in No.4 singles, and Echagaray defeated Andrew Wiese 64, 62 in No.6 singles. Blakeney won in the deciding match.
"Alex, Rodrigo and Quentin have really come through for us all year," Powell said. "Tonight, they stepped up and won the match for us. It really shows how bright the future of KU tennis is."
The win improves the Jayhawks' record to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12.
— Edited by Aerica Veazey
MEN'S TENNIS
Singles
1. Dinko Verzi (NU) defeated Luis Uribe (KU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
2. Kenny Powell (KU) defeated Lance Mills (NU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Jorge Abos Sanchez (NU) defeated Ed Dus (KU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Alex Barragan (NU) defeated Roshan Fernando (NU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Quentin Blakeney (KU) defeated Kai Rieke (NU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
6. Rodrigo Echagarray (KU) defeatec Andrew Wiese (NU) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Verzi/Wiese (NU) defeated
Uribe/Dus (KU) 8-5
2. Sanchez/Mills (NU) defeated
Powell/Barragan (KU) 8-4
3. Echagarray/Blakeney (KU)
defeated Rieke/Haithi (NU) 8-6
This could be your ad reaching anxious KU customers
NAME BRAND SOFTWARE AT ACADEMIC PRICES Level 3, Burge Union 864-5690
usten
technology
center
www.counciltravel.com
Watch the Kansan for the best coverage of KU sports
1 BR, 2 BR and 3 BR Apt. Starting at $399.00
Tanglewood Apartments
Now leasing for the FALL
★ Furnished Apt. Available
Large floor plans w/ lots of closet space
★ Private Balconies & Patios
★ Laundry Facility
Private Parking
★ Fully Equipped Kitchen
ENJOY THE COMFORT OF A SMALL COMMUNITY
Professionally managed by
Optometrist
Located next to Super Target
838-3200
1999-2000 Kansas Health Foundation Undergraduate Fellowship in Health Promotion and Community Development
$1,000 tuition stipend ($500 each semester) Enrollment in a 2-semester practicum
Application Deadline: April 2,1999
Information & application available from:
KU Work Group, 4082 Dole Center,
University of Kansas
(785) 864-0533
http://ctb.lsi.ukans.edu/wg/
---
"NO COUPON SPECIALS" EVERYDAY
TWO-FERS THREE-FERS PARTY '10' CARRY-OU
2-PIZZAS 3-PIZZAS 10-PIZZAS 1-PIZZA
2-TOPPINGS 1-TOPPING 1-TOPPING 1-TOPPING
2-DRINKS 3-DRINKS 1-DRINK
$10.25 $13.25 $35.00 $4.00
DELIVERY HOURS
Sun-Thurs 11am-2am Fri-Sat 11am-3am
---
1