South-Carolina

Men’s Tennis Falls in SEC Title Match

Published

8 months ago

April 21, 2024

Baton Rouge, La. – No. 24 South Carolina men’s’ tennis fell to No. 4 Kentucky 4-2 in the SEC Tournament title match on Sunday. The Gamecocks fell in a tight doubles point and were bested by three singles wins.

In doubles, Kentucky took the first match with Taha Baadi and Jack Loutit defeating Jelani Sarr and Lucas Andrade da Silva 6-3 from the No. 2 position. Just minutes later, South Carolina evened the decision with a 6-4 win from the No. 3 position where Casey Hoole and Sean Daryabeigi defeated Jaden Weekes and Eli Stephensen 6-4.

The decision fell to the top court where Toby Samuel and James Story were battling the nation’s No. 7 pair of JJ Mercer and Joshua Lapadat. The Gamecocks fell a break early but broke back immediately for 2-2. Both pairs then held serve for the remainder of the match, forcing the decision to a tiebreaker.

In the breaker, the Gamecocks took the opening point but weren’t able to get much else going, falling 7-6(2) for Kentucky to take the doubles point.

Play transitioned to singles where No. 15 Samuel was quick to even things up for the Gamecocks. He defeated No. 35 Baadi 6-4, 6-2 to even things at 1-1.

It wasn’t long after the Daryabeigi gave South Carolina the 2-1 lead, defeating Weekes 6-4, 6-1.

Kentucky then took the next two points to flip the lead in their favor with Da Silva falling 7-5, 6-3 and Story falling to No. 97 Lapadat 6-4, 6-1.

The two remaining courts remained in play on opposite sides of the facility with Sarr battling in a third set on Court 5 and Carter Morgan fighting in his second set on Court 6.

Sarr took his first set 6-3 but his opponent Loutit claimed the second 6-4. The final set was a close battle with both players holding serve but the decision was left unfinished as the Wildcats clinched the victory on Court 6.

The historic run was South Carolina’s first ever trip to the SEC Tournament title match and set a new SEC record for lowest seed to ever advance to the title match as the No. 11 seed.

The Gamecocks now awaits the NCAA selection show that will take place on April 29 to determine their fate for the remainder of the season.

For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).

#4 Kentucky 4, #24 South Carolina 2

Doubles (order of finish: 2, 3, 1)

#7 JJ Mercer/Joshua Lapadat (UK) def. Toby Samuel/James Story (SC) 7-6 (7-3)
Taha Baadi/Jack Loutit (UK) def. Jelani Sarr/Lucas da Silva (SC) 6-3
Casey Hoole/Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Jaden Weekes/Eli Stephenson (UK) 6-4

Singles (order of finish: 1, 3, 4, 2, 6)

#15 Toby Samuel (SC) def. #35 Taha Baadi (UK) 6-4, 6-2
#97 Joshua Lapadat (UK) def. James Story (SC) 6-4, 6-1
Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Jaden Weekes (UK) 6-4, 6-1
Charlelie Cosnet (UK) def. Lucas da Silva (SC) 7-5, 6-3
Jack Loutit (UK) vs. Jelani Sarr (SC) 3-6, 6-4, 4-3, unfinished
Eli Stephenson (UK) def. Carter Morgan (SC) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3

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South-Carolina

Gamecocks Motivated About Citrus Bowl Opportunity

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Gamecocks Motivated About Citrus Bowl Opportunity

As South Carolina prepares for its Citrus Bowl matchup against Illinois, the message from players is clear: this team isn’t just happy to be in Orlando.

The No. 15 Gamecocks (9-3) have their sights set on a historic tenth win, which would mark only the eighth time in program history the team has reached double-digit victories. Despite the disappointment of missing the expanded College Football Playoff, players emphasized their focus has shifted entirely to ending the season on a high note against the Fighting Illini (9-3).

“It’s just another chance to play with my teammates. All of them are like my brothers, even the coaching staff,” said defensive lineman Boogie Huntley, who confirmed earlier this week that he will play in the bowl game. “It’s just another opportunity to go out and have fun, show the nation and the world who South Carolina is.”

The Gamecocks enter the December 31 matchup at Camping World Stadium riding high after their victory over rival Clemson, a game that produced several players’ favorite moments of the season. Linebacker Debo Williams cited quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ game-winning touchdown run against the Tigers as his top memory, while Demetrius Knight Jr. still possesses the ball from his crucial interception to seal the rivalry win.

Sellers, whose heroics in the Clemson game have made him something of a campus celebrity, has maintained his focus despite the increased attention. “I trust him,” Sellers said of his relationship with coach Mike Shula, who was officially confirmed as the team’s new offensive coordinator earlier this week. “He’s coached a lot of guys and has a history with a lot of guys in the NFL. It’s about him trusting me and us continuing to have a great relationship from here on out.”

The defense, which has been a strength all season, appears motivated to finish strong. Safety Nick Emmanwori emphasized the team’s desire to approach this game differently than other teams who missed the playoff. “We want to come with a different mental approach,” Emmanwori said, noting the team is using the playoff snub as motivation.

For seniors like Tonka Hemingway, who recently won the Ray Tanner award, the bowl game represents one final opportunity to represent the school. “I’m really excited to put on the Garnet and black one more time and just leave it all out there,” Hemingway said.

South Carolina enters the game as an 9.5-point favorite against an Illinois team led by former Ole Miss quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on ABC, as the Gamecocks seek to close out what has already been a memorable season with one more victory.

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South-Carolina

One dead in Orangeburg Co. Saturday night crash

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

One dead in Orangeburg Co. Saturday night crash

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – The South Carolina Highway Patrol says one person has died in an Orangeburg County crash from Saturday night.

Sgt. Tyler Tidwell says this accident happened at approximately 7:05 p.m. on Redmond Mill Road near Magenta Drive. This is about four miles east of the Town of North.

Tidwell says a Hyundai sedan was traveling west on Redmond Mill Road when they went off to the road to the left and struck a tree. They were the only person in the car and the only vehicle involved.

The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has not yet identified the victim.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina offers transfer portal DL

Published

17 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

South Carolina offers transfer portal DL

South Carolina continues to mine the transfer portal to fill needs and the Gamecocks have sent out another known offer to an interior defensive lineman.

Bowling Green transfer portal DL Davonte Miles posted on Twitter/X Saturday that the Gamecocks have offered the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder.

In addition to South Carolina, Miles is hearing from Mississippi State, Memphis, Northwestern, and UConn.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Miles is expected to play in Bowling Green’s bowl game on Dec. 26 and will likely make a decision after that.

Listed as a redshirt sophomore, Miles should have two years of eligibility left.

Miles collected 10 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, and two quarterback hurries this season.

He is originally from River Rouge, Mich.

South Carolina is expected to bring in multiple interior defensive linemen from the portal as the Gamecocks will have to replace Tonka Hemingway, Boogie Huntley, Deandre Jules, and likely T.J. Sanders from this year’s talented group.

Carolina already has one portal commitment at the position in Texas A&M transfer and former five-star Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy.

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