Men’s tennis team shuts out rival Baylor
No. 2-ranked Horned Frogs unbeaten at home

By Matt Stiver
Skiff Staff

After hitting a forehand into the net, Reiner Neurohr of Baylor threw down his racket and kicked the ball into the net. Neurohr’s agony was pure delight for the TCU men’s tennis team.

Photo by Tim Cox Senior Sebastian Iannariello goes up for an overhead return in his 8-6 doubles- match victory with Scott Eddins Wednesday against Baylor at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center. TCU won the match, 7-0, moving its record to 15-2.

Senior Trace Fielding went on to defeat Neurohr in straight sets as the Frogs defeated No. 30 Baylor 7-0 Wednesday at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center.

TCU players spoke few words when describing their feelings about the Bears.

“We hate them,” senior Petr Koula said. “Everybody hates them because of the way they play. They try anything to win. We really didn’t want them to come in here and beat us.”

With the victory, the No. 2 Frogs move to 15-2 and a perfect 10-0 at home.

Photo by Tim Cox Sophomore Antonio Gordon lunges for a return shot at the net during his straight-set victory Wednesday against Matias Marin of Baylor. Gordon teamed with senior Esteban Carril to win their doubles match, 8-5.

The Frogs swept three doubles and six singles matches for their first 7-0 win of the spring. Only one match went to three sets.

TCU has now won consecutive matches against the Bears, one of the biggest rivals on the schedule, and eight of the past 10. The Frogs defeated Baylor 4-1 in the third round of the NCAA Championships last May.

During his 6-4, 6-2 win over Matias Marin, sophomore Antonio Gordon was accused by Marin and Baylor fans of miscalling points. Several players expressed displeasure at Baylor’s style of play.

“It just feels great to win, and 7-0 is even better,” Gordon said.

Senior Scott Eddins, a 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) winner over Mark Williams, said the Frogs wanted to sweep the Bears.

“It’s not better than (our win) in the NCAAs, but it sure was fun,” Eddins said. “It’s good to be leaving (as a senior) and know we came out on top against them.”

Needing only three victories to claim the match after winning the doubles point, the Frogs jumped out to early leads in all six singles matches. Eddins finished his match first, followed by junior Daniel Wajnberg, a 6-4, 6-2 winner.

Fielding, the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week, clinched the match when Neurohr hit a return volley into the net. Fielding held a 40-0 lead on match point, but Neurohr rallied to tie the score. Following a service ace, Fielding put Neurohr away on the next point.

No. 8-ranked Esteban Carril dispatched Csongor Bibza in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Carril rallied from deficits in each set.

Head coach Joey Rive said the Frogs, who have won five consecutive duel matches, have impressed him with their work ethic this season.

“Based on how we’ve been practicing, I knew we would play well,” Rive said. “It’s always good to beat Baylor.”

Matt Stiver
m.r.stiver@student.tcu.edu