Led by strong singles play by Ronald Chidzikwe and Jackson Varney, Prairie View A&M suffered a hard-fought 6-1 loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday night at the tennis courts.
Chidzikwe to defeated Odon Barta in a scrappy 6-4, 6-4 victory to pick up his first win of the season and improve to 1-1 in dual match play.
“I had nothing to lose, and I had blinders on because it was a big crowd and kind of rowdy,” Chidzikwe said. “I'm glad that I managed to pull off this match. My opponent was good and he didn't give me an room for mistakes.”
Chidzikwe said that after a slow start, he began to impose his will on the court and intimidate his opponent. This played a major factor in picking up a singles point for his team.
On the No. 1 court, Varney pushed Matt Westmoreland to the brink in a 7-6(4), 6-4 loss. Varney kept Westmoreland on the run with well-placed first serves and a solid backhand. However, a few unforced errors at the net and in rally's led to the match slipping away at the end.
“He was a solid player,” Varney said. “I'm working hard in the weight room, and I'm working hard on the court Varney said. I think I'm where I need to be physically. I had a kind of an off day. You just have some days you aren't feeling it physically. I'm spending a bit more time on my psychological game. Hopefully I can pick it up and overcome that next game.”
Prairie View A&M surrenedered the singles point. The team of Chidzikwe and Karim Fotso defeated Guillaume Rauseo and Gergo Weidinger 8-7 for Prairie View A&M, but the remaining two teams lost. The Panthers will hit the road for Texas A&M-Kingsville in what should be another competitive match at 1 p.m. on Friday before returning home for an early 11 a.m. match versus Abilene Christian on Saturday.
Tennis Match Results
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi vs Prairie View A&M
Feb 05, 2013 at Prairie View, Texas
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 6, Prairie View A&M 1
Singles competition
1. Matt Westmoreland (AMCC) def. Jackson Varney (PVAM) 7-6 (4-0), 6-4
2. Gergo Weidinger (AMCC) def. Craig Wiltz (PVAM) 6-3, 6-2
3. Ronald Chidzikwe (PVAM) def. Odon Barta (AMCC) 6-4, 6-3
4. Guillaume Rauseo (AMCC) def. Daniel Vasquez (PVAM) 6-2, 6-2
5. Pietro Jordao (AMCC) def. Kristen Powell (PVAM) 6-3, 6-1
6. Ricardo Mayagoitia (AMCC) def. Trenton Johnson (PVAM) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Odon Barta/Ricardo Mayagoitia (AMCC) def. Craig Wiltz/Kristen Powell (PVAM) 8-3
2. Andrew Maingot/Matt Westmoreland (AMCC) def. Jackson Varney/Trenton Johnson (PVAM) 8-4
3. Karim Fotso/Ronald Chidzikwe (PVAM) def. Guillaume Rauseo/Gergo Weidinger (AMCC) 8-7
Match Notes:
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 1-3
Prairie View A&M 0-2
