UMO finishes runner-up at Florence Invitational

FLORENCE, S.C. – After advancing to the finals of the City of Florence Invitational Feb. 4, the Trojans finished runner-up at the season-opening event after a 4-0 win in the semifinals versus Lenoir-Rhyne before falling to No. 13 nationally ranked Lander in the championship match.

With the split, the University of Mount Olive men’s tennis program moved to 2-2 this season after playing three dual matches over the previous two days. UMO is scheduled for a busy February with six more dual matches set throughout the month.

Against Lenoir-Rhyne, the Trojans secured the match in singles play with four wins on Saturday. In the second position, freshman Daniel Hammond won in straight sets with a 6-1, 6-3 victory before senior Israel Rodriguez Rojas posted a 6-2, 6-0 win in the fourth slot. In fifth singles, freshman Bram Poel claimed a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Freshman Kabir Chhabria sealed the win in the sixth position behind a 6-2, 6-3 win, as the Trojans won by a 4-0 margin to advance to the finals.

Against No. 13 Lander, the Bearcats clinched the doubles point in the championship dual match. Junior Guilherme Zotin de Oliveira and Hammond suffered a 6-0 loss at first doubles. Juniors Adam Ibrahim and Diego Ortega Cadahia fell by a 6-2 margin in the second slot.

Lander captured the invitational title with four wins in the singles session. Oliveira fell in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. In the second singles, Hammond dropped a 6-0, 6-3 decision before Rodriguez Rojas was dealt a 6-1, 6-2 defeat in the fourth slot. Lander registered the victory after junior Khushal Mehta suffered a 6-1, 6-1 loss in the fifth position.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics