Conference Carolinas: Top-seeded Trojans crowned tourney champs, head to NCAAs

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 28, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

SUMTER, S.C. -- Determined.

Confident.

And mission accomplished.

The University of Mount Olive men's tennis team is headed back to the NCAA Division II tournament for the second time in the last three seasons. Matt Finnerty earned MVP honors for the Trojans who upended Barton, 5-2, in the Conference Carolinas tournament championship Sunday morning.

"We had a good weekend," said UMO head coach Kevin Coghill, who was named the league's coach-of-the-year before tournament play began.

"I think it's a reflection of how we've played and practiced all year. This year we have been very focused, worked really hard and it's shown on the court."

Unbeaten against Division II opposition this season, UMO handled the pressure associated with its No. 1 seed.

League opponents improved throughout the spring and revamped their respective lineups to provide a challenge for the Trojans, who hadn't tasted defeat since a season-opening, shutout setback to East Carolina.

Mount Olive (18-1) answered the challenge and dropped just three points in three dual matches. The Trojans posted an 8-1 worksheet in doubles play during the three-day affair, and had different players step up in singles to seal the overall outcome in each match.

Finnerty and doubles mate Henric Falkenberg finished 3-0 at the No. 2 slot. Finnerty earned one singles point and had two other matches not completed.

"Matt has been a workhorse for us this year," Coghill said. "We've counted on him for two points in every match we've played. Having that confidence in him really kind of spreads throughout the team."

Sixth-seeded Barton (14-7) stunned second-seeded King, 5-4, in semifinal-round play. The Bulldogs split a pair of 8-6 decisions in doubles against the Trojans, while Finnerty-Falkenberg recorded an 8-0 victory.

Falkenberg, all-tournament pick Edgar Bub and Finnerty each collected a point at the top three singles flights to punch UMO's ticket to the postseason.

The Bulldogs triumphed at No. 6 singles.

"In tough moments, we were able to pull out those last two games in doubles and that goes back to our work in practice which has helped make us mentally tough," Coghill said. "Barton, a very young team that has gotten better over the course of the year, they seemed like they were a little bit tired.

"It was hot today. We were not used to the heat. The sun just baked you. Still, we went out there and took care of business."

Rik Wolthuis, Bub's doubles mate, earned a spot on the all-tournament team. The duo went 2-1 in tournament action with their only loss occurring against Barton.