As has become a summer tradition, appstatesports.com is counting down Appalachian State University athletics' 30 most memorable games, matches and meets from the 2015-16 academic year. This year's countdown begins on Tuesday, July 5 and will continue until Tuesday, August 2.
Be sure to check appstatesports.com each day to relive all of the Mountaineers' most lasting memories of an exciting and successful 2015-16.
Men's Tennis Ousts Troy, Advances to SBC Semis
April 22, 2016
NEW ORLEANS - After falling behind going into singles play, sixth-seeded Appalachian State University men's tennis (14-6) fought back in singles action to eliminate No. 3 seed Troy, 4-1, Friday afternoon at the City Tennis Park Center in New Orleans.
With the victory, its the first time the Mountaineers advance to the semifinals since 2014 when they were in the SoCon. It is also the first time since the same year the Black and Gold has defeated a lower seed (defeated No. 4 Samford; 4-2).
“I couldn't me more proud of how we played to advance in the tournament,” said head coach Bob Lake. “The guys bounced back tremendously after falling in doubles and really dug deep to pull out the win. This was a good Troy team that we beat today, and we'll have to even play better tomorrow against South Alabama to advance to the finals.”
It was a close matchup between the two foes where five of the single matchups went three sets and all three doubles contests were decided by two points or fewer.
The doubles portion was tight where Troy (15-14) claimed two of three matches to go into singles action with a 1-0 lead. Oliver Casey and Jack Maddocks fell short to Hassan Ndayishim and Vaclav Slezak at No. 2 doubles.
At No. 3 doubles, Zach Bost and Trey Morris helped the Apps tied doubles play, 1-1, thanks to their valiant victory over Andrew Baldo/Andy Lau. Coming down to the last match and the momentum into singles, both No. 1 doubles tandems went back and forth into a deciding tiebreaker. However, Pablo Moreno and Giovani Samaha got the best of Scott Webster and Jan-Willem Kleynhans 7-6 (7-5).
Kleynhans started the Apps off on the right foot in single action with a straight-set 6-1, 6-3 victory over Mustapha Belcora as the No. 5 in the lineup. After tying the match at one-apiece, the Mountaineers kept the ball rolling as Casey dealt Samaha a thrilling 7-6, 6-2 triumph at the No. 2 spot that gave the Black and Gold a 2-1 lead.
Webster helped the Apps put pressure on Troy as he dealt Daniel Bustamante 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 setback as the No. 1 in the lineup. The sophomore won the first set and lost the second set, but bounced back to give Appalachian a 3-1 advantage.
In the clinching match, Morris battle back from a one-set deficit to storm back and capture the next two sets to down Hassan Ndayishimiye 1-6, 6-2, 7-6, giving Appalachian its first-ever Sun Belt Tournament win.
The Mountaineers will have yet another tall task in front of them on Saturday with a 3 p.m. match against No. 2 South Alabama. Appalachian will look for its first-ever appearance in a conference tournament championship.
No. 2 seed South Alabama defeated Georgia Southern, 4-2, in the quarterfinals. The Jaguars finished the season 13-11 while defeating Troy to end the regular season.
Appalachian State Athletics' Most Memorable Moments of 2015-16
No. 30: Women's Tennis 4, Georgia Southern 2 (April 20, 2016)
No. 29: App State Knocks Off No. 24 Duke (December 15, 2015)
No. 28: Another 8-7 Walkoff Win Clinches Series Victory (April 4, 2016)
No. 27: Apps Catch Fire in Resilient Win (January 28, 2016)
No. 26: Mountaineers Receive Votes for AP Top 25 (October 15, 2015)
No. 25: Men's Tennis Ousts Troy, Advances to SBC Semis (April 22, 2016)
