Huskers Fall to Tar Heels at NCAA Regional

Durham, N.C.---The No. 41 Nebraska men's tennis team saw its' historic season come to an end on Friday, May 14, after falling to the No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels, 4-3, at the Ambler Tennis Stadium at Duke University. The Huskers, who were playing in their first NCAA Tournament match in school history, finished the season with a 13-13 record. The Tar Heels improved to 18-6 and will play either VCU or Duke in the second round. Head coach Kerry McDermott reflected on the Huskers' season after Friday's match.

"We had a great year, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time," McDermott said. "Hopefully, this leads to some great things in the future, and we start to make the tournament every season. This match was a good experience and will hopefully help us in the future. I couldn't be more proud of this team."

NU fell behind early to the Tar Heels after dropping the first two doubles matches. At the No. 1 spot, No. 33 David Bendheim and Calin Paar (NU) were defeated by No. 19 Clay Donato and Stefan Hardy (UNC). The Huskers' top duo finished the season with an 10-11 overall record. Andrew Crone and Jose Hernandez (UNC) took down Benedikt Lindheim and Andre Stenger (NU) 8-3 at the No. 3 spot to clinch the doubles point.

In singles, the Huskers got their lone victory from sophomore Benedikt Lindheim (NU). Lindheim defeated his first ranked opponent of the season in No. 88 Cameron Ahari (UNC) 6-1, 6-3, at the No. 5 spot. At the No. 6 spot, Andre Stenger (NU) was defeated by Andrew Crone (UNC) 6-3, 7-5, while senior Francois Van Impe saw his Husker career come to an end after falling to No. 90 Brennan Boyajian (UNC) 6-3, 7-5. Christopher Aumueller had to retire from his match in the second set against No. 43 Clay Donato.

"It was not one of our best matches of the year, that's for sure, but the guys competed well and that's all we can ask for," McDermott said. "I thought Benedikt had a great match at No. 5 and really competed. I thought everybody competed hard, it just wasn't our best tennis."

Full Results
NU 1, NC 4
Doubles
1. #19 Clay Donato/Stefan Hardy (UNC) def. David Bendheim/Calin Paar (NEB) 8-3
2. Brennan Boyajian/Cameron Ahari (UNC) def. C. Aumueller/Francois Van Impe (NEB) 7-6
3. Andrew Crone/Jose Hernandez (UNC) def. Benedikt Lindheim/Andre Stenger (NEB) 8-3

Singles
1. #43 Clay Donato (UNC) def. #82 C. Aumueller (NEB) 6-2, 2-1, retired
2. #44 Jose Hernandez (UNC) vs. #69 Calin Paar (NEB) 6-3, 5-5, unfinished
3. #100 Stefan Hardy (UNC) vs. David Bendheim (NEB) 4-6, 6-4, 2-1, unfinished
4. #90 Brennan Boyajian (UNC) def. Francois Van Impe (NEB) 6-3, 7-5
5. Benedikt Lindheim (NEB) def. #88 Cameron Ahari (UNC) 6-1, 6-3
6. Andrew Crone (UNC) def. Andre Stenger (NEB) 6-3, 7-5
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (1,5,4,6)