March 23, 2004
SAN DIEGO -- Senior Felix Hardt's three-set victory at number one singles lifted San Diego State to a 4-3 victory over 59th-ranked Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday afternoon at the SDSU Courts.
With the team score tied at three, Hardt defeated Andreas Siljestrom, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3, to lift the Aztecs to their fourth victory in five outings.
"It is nice to get a win over a nationally ranked team," Aztec coach Gene Carswell said. "We are short-handed playing without two-time All-American Ryan Redondo and are not completely healthy but still found a way to get a victory."
Hardt had an opportunity to clinch the match in the second set, but failed to convert a match point during the tiebreaker. With all eyes on court number one, the Aztec senior won the first three games of the third set to take control of the match.
Hardt teamed with sophomore Daniel Jung to post an upset victory at number one doubles and give the Aztecs the doubles point. The Aztec duo posted a 9-8 (5) victory over 28th-ranked Brandon Allan and Kai Schledorn.
The Aztecs built the team lead to 3-0 with victories by Markus Dickhardt at number two and Dontia Haynes at number four. The Blue Raiders won the next three singles matches to tie the score at three.
San Diego State, which improves to 6-4 on the campaign, will play host to Santa Clara on Saturday at the SDSU Courts. Middle Tennessee State falls to 5-11 and will play at San Diego on Thursday.
San Diego State 4, No. 59 Middle Tennessee State 3
DOUBLES -- (San Diego State wins point)No. 1 - Felix Hardt/Daniel Jung (SDSU) def. No. 28 Brandon Allan/Kai Schledorn (MTSU) - 9-8 (5)No. 2 - Markus Dickhardt/Dontia Haynes (SDSU) def. Rishan Kuruppu/Andreas Siljestrom (MTSU) - 8-6No. 3 - Kirk Jackson/Trevor Short (MTSU) def. Michael Coehlo/Armando Carrascosa (SDSU) - 9-8 (5)Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1Clinched Point: 1
SINGLES --No. 1 - No. 63 Felix Hardt (SDSU) def. Andreas Siljestrom (MTSU) - 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3No. 2 - Markus Dickhardt (SDSU) def. Kai Schledorn (MTSU) - 6-1, 6-4No. 3 - Kirk Jackson (MTSU) def. Daniel Jung (SDSU) - 6-2, 6-3No. 4 - Dontia Haynes (SDSU) def. Trevor Short (MTSU) - 6-3, 6-4No. 5 - Anant Sitaram (MTSU) def. Armando Carrascosa (SDSU) - 6-4, 4-6, 6-1No. 6 - Rishan Kuruppu (MTSU) def. Michael Coehlo (SDSU) - 6-3, 6-1Order of Finish: 2, 4, 3, 6, 5, 1Clinched Match: 1