Teraz Three Set Win Clinches CSU Victory
3/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Grega Teraz capped a CSU singles rally with a rally of his own, defeating Jacksonville State's Chris Duke 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the decisive last match of the Bucs' 4-3 victory over the visiting Gamecocks Monday afternoon at CSU Tennis Courts.
CSU started slowly on Monday, as Jacksonville State captured the doubles point. In spite of the overall doubles loss, the stout tandem of Guy David and Grega Teraz posted yet another doubles victory, winning at number one 8-5 to jointly improve their record to 11-4 in doubles matches on the year. The win also was the duo's seventh consecutive doubles win in 2008.
As a result of losing the doubles point, the Bucs knew they had to win four of six singles matches to overcome the Gamecocks. Guy David got things started for CSU, beating JSU's Scott Robertson quite comfortably 6-0, 6-1 at number two for his fourth win in his last five singles matches. Murat Atilla also was victorious in straight sets, winning 6-4, 7-5 at number five for his second win on the year.
Mike Baker's squad was made to work for their final two victories, as matches at one, three and four went to a third set. It looked like victory might elude the Bucs when Chris Peek fell at number four 6-1, 4-6, 3-6 and both Stephen Dean and Teraz dropped their first sets by 1-6 and 2-6 score lines respectively. Each would rebound, however, as Dean overcame Eduardo Saratt 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 before Teraz recorded the win that would put the Buccaneers over the top on the day.
The wins also kept alive impressive runs for both Dean and Teraz in singles. Dean has now won nine of his last 10 singles matches, while newcomer Teraz has now won seven of eight.
The win moves CSU back above the .500 mark at 8-7 on the year. Next, the Bucs will play their final home conference contest of the year, entertaining the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at 2:00 PM on Thursday.
