NATIONAL CHAMPS AGAIN! Barry Men's Tennis Claims the 2021 Title

NATIONAL CHAMPS AGAIN! Barry Men's Tennis Claims the 2021 Title

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Bucs beat the top-ranked Cougars 4-1 to repeat as champions

By: Dennis Jezek | Barry Athletic Communications

SURPRISE, Ariz.-- In another match that defines the current state of NCAA Division II men's tennis, the Barry Buccaneer battled the Columbus State Cougars for the national championship at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex on Thursday, and the Bucs pulled off the 4-1 win over the #1 ranked team.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: #2 Barry 4, #1 Columbus State 1
Records: Barry (13-0), Columbus State (22-1)
Series: Barry leads 5-2

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

SUMMARY:

Singles

  1. 1. #2 Alvaro Regalado (CSU) vs. #1 Alessandro Giuliato (Barry) 6-3, 5-7, 5-2 unf
  2. 2. Alejandro Palacios (Barry) def. #15 Christian Garay (CSU) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
  3. 3. #32 Tommaso Schold (CSU) def. Alejandro Ibañez Gallego (Barry) 6-3, 6-4
  4. 4. Javier Cueto Ramos (CSU) vs. Arnau Rodriguez (Barry) 7-6(2), 6-7(5) 3-0 unf
  5. 5. Ignasi Forcano (Barry) def. Felix Steen (CSU) 6-3, 6-3
  6. 6. Tim Buettner def. Justin Welz (CSU) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles>/p>

  1. #1 Alvaro Regalado/Javier Cueto Ramos (CSU) def. Ignasi Forcano/Martin Gutierrez (Barry) 6-1
  2. Alessandro Giuliato/Tim Buettner (Barry) def. Christian Garay/Felix Steen (CSU)6-1
  3. Alejandro Ibañez Gallego/Arnau Rodriguez(BARRY) def. Tommaso Schold/Pietro Martinetti (CSU) 6-4

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Columbus State took a quick lead at number one doubles, at the nation's #1 pair Alvaro Regalado and Javier Cueto Ramos defeated Ignasi Forcano and Martin Gutierrez 6-0.
  • But Alesandor Giuliato and Tim Buettner evened the match at 1-1 with a 6-1 win at number two over Felix Steen and Charistian Garay.
  • Alejandro Ibañez Gallego and Arnau Rodriguez clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win over Pietro Martinetti and Tommaso Schold at number three.It was just the second time in 23 matches that the Cougars lost the doubles point.
  • Needing three singles points for the title, the Bucs dropped four of the six first sets, including a tough tie-break loss at number four.
  • Ignasi Forcano made a brilliant showing at number five singles, winning 6-3, 6-3 over Felix Steen.
  • Tommaso Schold, ranked 32, put the Cougars on the board with a 6-3. 6-4 win over Ibañez Gallego at number three.
  • Tim Buettner made a strong statement at number six singles with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Jason Welz, that put Barry one point from the title. 
  • All three remaining matches went to third sets.
  • Ajejandro Ortega Palacios removed the doubt by knocking off 15th-ranked Christian Garay 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to clinch the title.
  • The two remaining matches went unfinished.

NOTES

  • Barry now has five championships and seven runner-up spots in 12 trips to the finals.
  • In four trips to Surprise, Barry has won three times and finished second once.
  • George Samuel's five championships ranks fourth among D-II men's coaches. Joe Cabri - Lander 8; Myron McNamarra - UC-Irvine 6; Kent DeMars - SIU-Edwardsville 6
  • Barry now has back-to-back men's tennis titles for the first time.
  • Men's tennis is now tied with women's tennis for the most championships won by Buccaneer programs.

ON THE HORIZON

The champs return to Barry.

Courtesy of Barry Athletic Communications