Privateers outlast Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to win Southland Men’s Tennis Championship

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers are Southland Conference men’s tennis champions for the first time in school history after a 4-3 win over the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on Monday morning at the Privateer Tennis Center.

The Privateers will now advance with automatic qualification to the NCAA Championships. The selection show is on May 2 where the opponent and date will be determined.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After the rain delay postponed the finish of singles action on Sunday, the teams came back under hot, humid conditions. The Islanders finished the matches in their favor at flight two and four to take a 3-2 lead but from there it was the Privateers who stepped up in the biggest situations.

Facing a break down 4-2 in the third set, Matthew Armbruster broke right back on a huge rally at deuce to get back on serve. From there, Armbruster never dropped another game as he won the third set 6-4 to tie the match at 3-3.

Then it came down to flight one. Max Heinzel was up a break on the restart but Pascal Lorieul came up with a service break right back. Heinzel stayed strong on his serve throughout the remainder of the match and came up with a critical service break to go up 5-3.

Off the changeover, Heinzel and Lorieul split the first two points of the game. Heinzel’s serve proved too big though as he had a couple of unreturned serves before clinching the match to earn the jubilant Privateers a spot in the Southland Championship.

Heinzel also won Tournament MVP for his efforts on the match and in the tournament.

The Privateers got a big point in doubles to start when Espen Lagarde and Akos Kotorman secured the match at flight one. Marcel Volz and Armbruster also had a huge win at flight three doubles, taking the match 6-4.

Kotorman’s match was the first to finish in singles and he won 6-3, 6-1 in a masterful performance as he controlled the action throughout after an even start in the first six games. The Islanders got their first point before the second rain delay with a 6-4, 6-3 win at flight three.

FROM COACH KANGA
“I’m so happy for the players, our university, our President Dr. John Nicklow and our athletic director, Tim Duncan who I know went out of his way to help us host this event. There’s so many people to thank and there’s a feeling of euphoria and joy after being associated with this university for so long.”

“I told Matthew he has everything it takes and he just has to have a good game plan and recognize shot selection. He put everything together in this tournament and he is a big reason why we are here today.”

“Max plays this game without any fear. He has these weapons in the serve and the forehand but what he has really developed this year is the volley. He’s executing a good game plan and I couldn’t have been prouder of the way he played in the final set.”

“What a match for A.K. He saved his best for last in this tournament and he played great in doubles and singles for us. He was a huge part of this win and he played with confidence. He is such a great talent and he played his heart out.”

“There are nine players on this team and throughout the year every one of them had big moments throughout the year. What we have this year is depth and a level of maturity. I told them early on for us to be successful it’s going to be all nine players and the way they supported each other was terrific. It was a total team effort.”

SOCIAL MEDIA
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