The men’s tennis team (20-9) made an early exit from the ACC Tournament on Thursday, falling 4-3 to Virginia Tech (13-11) in a match that suffered over three hours of delays due to rain.
After taking the doubles point and losing at No. 4 singles, the players stopped play at the Cary Tennis Park, expecting to return to action within 15 minutes.
Instead the match, which was scheduled to begin at noon, was moved indoors at UNC and didn’t end until 8:30 p.m.
According to coach Jon Choboy, the change of courts didn’t hurt N.C. State as Virginia Tech simply outplayed the Wolfpack, who beat the Hokies 4-3 earlier this year.
“They were playing good outside against us too,” Choboy said. “I don’t think it was anything to their advantage, they just played well. A few guys that won for us last time didn’t get it this time.”
Sophomore Jay Weinacker, who won his match 6-3, 0-6, 6-3, said the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech likely motivated the Hokies in the victory.
“Maybe they used what happened this week as extra motivation,” Weinacker said. “That wasn’t all but maybe a lot of it. We gave up some mistakes but they definitely played a great match and you have to give them credit for coming out after what happened and doing a good job.”
According to junior Nick Cavaday, the match had a very different feel than when the Pack beat Virginia Tech 4-3 in Blacksburg. Cavaday, who won yesterday at No. 1 singles, had to forfeit his match due to injury in the first meeting between the teams.
“It was different,” Cavaday said. “We won the doubles point this time and felt like we were in control. In singles we came out pretty strong and were up on the other two courts where I was. And it kind of turned around a little bit, and I give them credit for that. But we’re obviously extremely disappointed.”
Weinacker said the loss was particularly disappointing because the team felt it would make a deep run in this year’s tournament.
“It’s tough because we thought we had a legitimate shot to win and make it to the ACC finals,” Weinacker said. “I thought we had the right draw, so it’s tough.”
According to Choboy, the team will focus on school and train hard in preparation for the NCAA Tournament.
“We’re going to focus on exams,” Choboy said. “To prepare for the NCAAs we’re going to be going at it in the weight room a little more, picking it up in there. We’re going to have a little training block here to get stronger and recuperate our bodies. We’re going to go over some things in practice and we’ll be prepared to go up against whoever.”
