FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Wichita State's battle from behind came up short in the Shockers' 4-1 loss to Arkansas Friday on the road.
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"Tough match today. We had chances and didn't quite capitalize on those," head coach
Darragh Glavin said. "We will get back to work and improve in a few areas, but I'm proud of our fight and the way we battled again today."
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The Shockers gave the Razorbacks the doubles advantage with a quick loss at court one, but the Shockers didn't make it easy at two and three.
Misha Kvantaliani and
Richey King tied the match at 3-3 before going down 5-3. The almost tied it back up when it was 5-4 (40-40), but the Razorbacks clinched the doubles point, leaving
Orel Ovil and
Luke Bracks's court three match unfinished at 5-5.
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Arkansas went up 2-0 with a straight-set win at No. 3 singles, but
Kristof Minarik answered with a 6-3, 7-6 (7) victory at No. 1 singles to put the Shockers on the board.
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"Kristof played at a very high level today," Glavin said. "He had one small blip, but he was able to regain composure in the end and get the win against a tough opponent."
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The Razorbacks won every other first set across the courts, but Kvantaliani,
Alex Richards and
Alejandro Jacome sparked a comeback attempt with hard-fought second-set wins at No. 2, 4 and 5. The Razorbacks snagged another point with a win at court six, needing just one more won set to clinch the match.
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All three Shockers went back and forth with their opponents, but Gerard Planelles wouldn't go away at No. 5 and ultimately handed Jacome his first singles loss, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.
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The Shockers are back in action Sunday for their home-opener doubleheader against Omaha and Washburn, starting at 10 a.m. at Genesis Health Club on Rock Rd.
Arkansas 4, Wichita St. 1
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Singles competition
1.
Kristof Minarik (WSU) def. Stefanos Savva (ARKM) 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)
2. Adrien Burdet (ARKM) vs.
Misha Kvantaliani (WSU) 6-4, 6-7, 5-3, unfinished
3. Melvin Manuel (ARKM) def.
Orel Ovil (WSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Alan Sau Franco (ARKM) vs.
Alex Richards (WSU) 6-2, 4-6, 4-3, unfinished
5. Gerard Planelles (ARKM) def.
Alejandro Jacome (WSU) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
6. Foster Rogers (ARKM) def.
Luke Bracks (WSU) 6-4, 6-3
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Doubles competition
1. Melvin Manuel/Stefanos Savva (ARKM) def.
Kristof Minarik/
Alex Richards (WSU) 6-1
2. Adrien Burdet/Alan Sau Franco (ARKM) def.
Richey King/
Misha Kvantaliani (WSU) 6-4
3. Gerard Planelles/Jakob Mosvold (ARKM) vs.
Orel Ovil/
Luke Bracks (WSU) 5-5, unfinished
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