WILMINGTON, N.C. - Host UNC Wilmington swept all three singles flights and added the Flight A Doubles crown as the UNCW Fall Invitational Tennis Tournament concluded Sunday.
Junior Michael Pereira routed 90th-ranked Orcum Seyrek of UNC Greensboro, 6-1, 6-1, in the Flight A Singles championship for his first win over a nationally-ranked player this season and his third overall.
In Flight B Singles, freshman Chris Cooprider outlasted teammate Kosta Blank, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, in a marathon match.
Sophomore Ryan Ybarra made it three straight for the Seahawks with a 6-1, 6-3 verdict over UNC Greensboro's Jacob Wright. The Tyler, Texas, product surrendered just eight games en route to the crown.
The Flight A Doubles final was an all-UNCW matchup. Junior Kinshuk Sharma paired with newcomer Max Ando Hirsch for a 9-7 triumph over Cooprider and Ybarra.
"It was a great way to finish our fall season," said UNCW Coach Mait DuBois. "Our team had a pretty average performance last weekend at the ITA Regionals. We were very hungry to make a statement this weekend, and I'm very pleased with how we responded. Winning four out of the five flights and placing four teams in the doubles finals is a strong statement.
"Michael (Pereira) turned in a dominating performance against a nationally ranked player and that shows he's moving towards being one of the national elite. Kinshuk (Sharma) also proved that he's one of the best doubles players in the country.
"I'm very pleased with the play of our freshmen. They have shown a lot of progress since arriving on campus. To rack up titles and appearances in finals so quickly says a lot about them."
