In its last home match of the season, the No. 50 men’s tennis team honored its only senior, Frideric Prandecki, the best way a team can. Prandecki helped lead the Wolfpack to a 5-2 victory over Boston College. State now moves to a 15-11, 3-8 in the ACC, record.
Prandecki, who typically only plays doubles, took the singles court for the first time this spring during ACC action, gaining a 6-2, 6-4 victory on court No. 6 over BC’s Brian Locklear. According to Prandecki, he wasn’t told he was in the line-up until Friday.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Prandecki said. “But it was great to play singles and doubles and win.”
No. 1 doubles duo Prandecki and sophomore Dominic Hodgson claimed the Pack’s first victory of the day, defeating Jonathan Schroeder and Alex Skinner, 8-4.
“Dom and I are 3-0 in doubles now so we’re doing well,” Prandecki said. “We have good chemistry. It’s going to be really sad not to play anymore.”
The match marked Prandecki’s 43rd career doubles victory in fall and spring which is the ninth all-time in school history. He is 15-10 this spring in doubles play. According to Coach Jon Choboy, Prandecki puts forth a total effort in each of his matches.
“He will give me everything he’s got,” Choboy said. He’ll fight for every point, he’ll break his arm to keep playing and I like that. That’s why he’s out there.”
According to sophomore Akash Gujarati, Prandecki’s graduation is a huge loss for the team.
“Freddy is the spirit of the team. He’s always been there for us,” Gujarati said. “It’s going to be a big loss but I’m really happy he won his match today.”
After Prandecki and Hodgson’s victory, junior Rob Lowe and Gujarati dropped their doubles match, 8-4 to Adam Davidson and Thomas Nolan.
“They came out with strong serves and we got broken so that put us down a little bit,” Gujarati said. “We tried to fight back but it was too late.”
The doubles point came down to sophomore Jamie Pugar and freshman Dave Thomson. The team defeated Erick Kreutzer and Akash Muppidi, 8-4, to gain the point.
The momentum continued onto the singles court as freshman Rafael Paez claimed the first win, defeating Alex Skinner 6-0, 6-2. No. 62 Pulgar followed suit, defeating No. 122 Muppidi, 6-0, 6-3.
Gujarati clinched the win for State with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Schroeder. According to Gujarati, the win was important since he dropped his last five singles matches.
“I lost five matches in a row and I was really mad about it,” Gujarati said. “I wanted to change things today, so I came out with a plan. I just wanted to take control.”
To end the match, Boston College’s Thomas Nolan defeated No. 111 Hodgson in a hard fought match, 4-6, 7-6 (9), (10-3). Hodgson entered national rankings for the first time last week.
The Pack will take this week to prepare for the ACC tournament, which begins Thursday in Cary, N.C. The bracket and times will be announced later this week.
“This team is like my family,” Prandecki said. “I have one or two matches left with them and it just went by so fast, but it was one hell of an experience.”
