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USC stands alone as undefeated SEC East team in men’s tennis BY WES WOLFE THE GAMECOCK The No. 22 USC men’s tennis team (8-0) roared into this season and is basking in the middle of a 12-game home stand with four more matches left before go ing on the road against Vanderbilt on March 7. The Gamecocks are the only undefeated team left in the SEC East. Carolina has been on a tear in recent years, at tending 10 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and 17 postseason appearances in the last 19 years. Last sea son, USC reached the NCAA Tournament and drew No. 33 Rice in the first round. However, Rice pulled the upset and sent the Gamecocks packing. i nougn senior s>etn nose, ranKed 4atn in tne na tion, lost the team match, he made a run in the sin gles portion of the tournament, reaching the Round of 16 before being defeated by No. 21 Todd Widom of Miami. Replacing the loss of Rose and No. 69 Angelo Niculescu to graduation means the returning Gamecocks will have to step up in order to continue the team’s winning ways. Still, the team should remember what happened last season when USC lost its last two regular sea son matches, along with first-round exits from the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. Carolina’s run at the tournament this year begins with three returning players, starting Ben Atkinson, who had the best record from last year’s team of all re turning players. The British-born player was the big returning starter this season, having amassed a 27-8 record last season. Atkinson is 4-0 in dual matches this season after undergoing a slump during the fall season. Sophomore Tom Eklund, who went 13-11 last season, is the star so far this year by going 8-0 in dual matches. The duo of Knorr and freshman Pedro Rodrigues, a fellow Brazilian, is the only undefeated doubles pairing, putting together a 6-0 record. Although Carolina is blowing through its non conference schedule, conference play should test the ability of the Gamecocks to play with the best in the nation. In the latest ITA rankings, the SEC has seven teams in the top 25, including USC. Ole Miss is sec ond, Florida fourth, LSU 10th, Kentucky 14th, Georgia 24th and Vanderbilt 25th The team plays next against Francis Marion on Saturday at home. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu Jl r ^ ^ > ^ > j i r ■■'*+—y~~T",;T~T—f y~~] i: 4 PHOTO By JOHNNlV hAYN^s/THE ^GAMECOCK Sophomore Geraldo Knorr follows through after hitting the ball. r”.. ... '■ ... ... ^ttAiEV's Mill Aparta*^ N EST. 1895 * A FAMILY TRADITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA *-■ A premiere location (walking distance to USC) Fully furnished apartments USC Shuttle service to campus Computer lab Free movie rentals Friendly management team 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments Call 254-7801 Jj for an appointment or visit us at 211 Main Steet (Across from the College of Engineering) Still looking? Better hurry ■ filling up fast!^^®