RESULTS

RADFORD, Va. – Both Igor Ogrizek and Ivan Salec extended their singles winning streaks to 13 straight as Radford defeated Coastal Carolina, 5-2, in Big South men's tennis action Saturday morning at the RU Tennis Courts.

Winners of 39 of their last 40 home matches and 28 of 29 conference affairs, Radford improved to 8-9 overall and 2-0 in league play, while Coastal fell to 12-6 and 3-1.

“Today's victory was a great bounce back win after yesterday's heartbreaking loss to nationally-ranked UNC Wilmington,” said Radford head coach Mike Anderson. “Hopefully this will give us the confidence we need to finish the remainder of the season in strong fashion.”

Ogrizek improved to a team-best 14-3 on the season with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Alex Funkhouser, while Salec upped his singles record to 13-4 with a straight-set win (6-2, 6-1) of his own at the top spot.

Minutes after Radford's wins on courts three and one, Zack Watson's 6-4, 6-2 victory over Ernesto Ramos handed the Chanticleers their first setback in conference play.

After dropping the doubles portion to UNC Wilmington Friday, Radford bounced back with three convincing wins today to grab the early 1-0 lead.

Playing as a duo for the first time this season, Ogrizek and Erik Finkenbrink put the Highlanders one win away from the team point with an impressive 8-1 decision. Shortly after its win on court three, Radford's top doubles team of Salec and Thomas Dehaen clinched the team point with their eighth straight victory, which improved them to 12-1 on the spring.

With the doubles point already in hand, Watson and Paul Boslet secured the fifth doubles sweep of the season for the Highlanders. Like Ogrizek and Finkenbrink, Radford's No. 2 team had not competed as a tandem prior to this morning's contest.

Radford extended its advantage to 5-0 when Dehaen won by way of retirement at No. 2. Dehaen claimed the opening set, 7-6 (4) and was leading 2-0 in the second before Matt Gordon pulled out due to injury.

Coastal Carolina's lone wins came from Plamen Tzetkov (6-3, 5-7, 10-3) and Dorian Sovic (6-3, 5-7, 8-10) by way of third-set 10-point tiebreakers at positions four and six, respectively.

Radford will continue its stretch of four straight conference matches to conclude the regular season with a 2:30 p.m. dual at Gardner-Webb Wednesday.