Flushing, N.Y. – Harford returned to its winning ways with a huge top 15 win over rival USC Sumter, downing the Fire Ants, 6-3, Tuesday afternoon at the USTA Bille Jean National Tennis Center.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is one of the world's largest public tennis facilities. It The facility has 22 courts inside and 11 in the adjoining park. The complex's three stadiums, including the world renown Arthur Ashe Stadium, are among the largest in the world and play home to the US Open.
The Fighting Owls improve to 7-5 on the season with the win.
How it Happened
Despite battling against an unexpected 13-day layoff due to weather, Harford came out of the gate strong by collecting two wins in doubles play. Both the Fighting Owls No. 1 and No. 2 doubles pairings trailed Sumter 3-1 early on but came back with outstanding performances late to claim the points.
Six major tiebreakers swayed the singles action on the day.
Headlining the action was a top 10 battle between Harford's
Thomas Norwood (No.1) and USC's Israel Rojas (No. 7). Norword took the win on the day, claiming a tiebreaker win in the first set, then controlling most of the second for a straight set victory.
Adria Aguilar Guerrero and
Artur Etzberger both forced third sets out of their Sumter opposition but fell short in their comebacks.
Adam Larsen,
John Brett and
Finlay Rowan all claimed straight sets wins over the Fire Ants as well, with Larsen and Rowan battling through first set tiebreakers to due so.
#10 Harford 6, #11 USC Sumter 3
Singles Competition
1.
Thomas Norwood (HCC) defeats Israel Rojas (USC – Sumter) 7-6(1), 6-2.
2. Leonardo Zancheta (USC-Sumter defeats
Artur Etzberger (HCC) 6-2, 3-6, 10-6
3.
Adam Larsen (HCC) defeats Lucas Rodrigues (USC-Sumter) 7-6(3), 6-3
4.
John Brett (HCC) defeats Jorjay Paladines (USC-Sumter) 6-3, 6-2
5.
Finlay Rowan (HCC) defeats Albert Rocard (USC Sumter) 7-6 (4), 6-3
6. Jaime Sion (USC Sumter) defeats
Adria Aguilar Guerrero (HCC) 5-7, 7-6(3), 10-6
Doubles Competition
1. Norwood/Etzberger (HCC) defeat Zancheta/Rodrigues (USC – Sumter) 6-3
2. Larsen/Brett (HCC) defeat Rojas/Rocard (USC – Sumter) 6-3
3. Paladines/Cruz (USC – Sumter) defeat Rowan/Aguilar (HCC) 7-6 (4)
For more information about the Harford Fighting Owls, visit us at www.HarfordAthletics.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Harford Athletics), Twitter (@FightingOwlsHCC) and Instagram (@fightingowlshcc).
