Clemson Defeats USC-Upstate in the Third Annual ITA Kickoff Weekend Friday

Jan. 28, 2011

KNOXVILLE, TN – Clemson defeated USC-Upstate 6-1 in the Third Annual ITA Kickoff Weekend Friday at the Goodfriend Tennis Center in Knoxville, TN.

The ITA Kickoff Weekend consists of 60 schools at 15 sites competing to earn spots in the elite 16-team field at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in Seattle, WA on February 18-21. In Knoxville on Friday, third-ranked Tennessee defeated 47th ranked San Diego 6-1 in the first match and Clemson advanced by winning the second match of the evening.

On Saturday in the consolation match, San Diego will play USC-Upstate at 11:00 a.m. while Clemson will play the third-ranked Volunteers at 3:00 p.m.

The Tigers are now 6-1 on the year, while USC Upstate falls to 0-3. The Spartans are ranked 60th nationally, while Clemson is ranked 53rd.

At number one singles, the Tigers’ Derek DiFazio was also victorious over Edgar Rodriguez 6-4, 7-6 at number two singles.

In doubles at the number one position, The Tigers’ duo of DiFazio and Kevin Galloway won over Gonzalo Blanco and Matias Di Pasquale 8-3.

Clemson 6, USC-Upstate 1

Singles 1. Yannick Maden (CU) d. Gonzalo Blanco (USCU) 6-1, 6-4 2. Derek DiFazio (CU) d. Edgar Rodriquez (USCU) 6-4, 7-6 3. Kevin Galloway (CU) d. Ramiro Blanco (USCU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 4. Matias Di Pasquale (USCU) d. Cal Hilsman (CU) d. 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 5. Dominique Maden (CU) d. Gianluca Paino (USCU) 6-0, 6-1 6. Robert Pietrucha, (CU) d. Marco Linconir (USCU) 6-0, 6-3 (Order of finish – 5, 1, 6, 2, 3, 4)

Doubles 1. Derek DiFazio/Kevin Galloway (CU) Gonzalo Blanco/Matias Di Pasquale (USCU) 8-3 2. Ramiro Blanco/Edgar Rodriguez (USCU) vs. Juan Bolona/Dominique Maden (CU) Was Not Finished 3. Yannick Maden/Zachary Rigsby (CU) d. Marco Linconir/Andres Sanchez (USCU) 8-1 (Order of finish – 1, 3)