ROCK HILL, S.C. – Radford captured its fourth Big South Men's Tennis Tournament Championship in five years with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over top-seeded and host Winthrop Saturday afternoon at Memorial Courts.

“I'm extremely proud of this team and their fight to the end,” said six-time Big South Coach of the Year Mike Anderson.

In addition to extending their school-record winning streak to 18 straight, the nationally-ranked Highlanders set a new standard for wins, improving to 22-3 overall, while snapping Winthrop's 15-match win streak.

Trailing 3-1, Radford responded with triumphs from freshman Nick Sayer (Hong Kong, Hong Kong / Cams Hill School) and sophomore Thomas Dehaen (Zwevegem, Belgium / Middenjury) to tie the score, 3-3, and put all the attention on court five.

After winning the opening set 6-2, freshman Stijn Meulemans (Belgium / KA2 sportschool Hasselt) held off Nadav Ruppin 7-5 in the second to clinch the Highlanders fourth NCAA Regional berth in program history.

“The leadership of our team captains and grit of our youth, who didn't buckle under pressure, made this a true team championship,” Anderson said.

Radford grabbed the crucial doubles point with wins from its all-conference teams on courts two and one.

After Igor Ogrizek (Daruvar, Croatia / Birotechnika Grammar School) and Meulemans recorded an 8-5 decision at the No. 2 position, Ivan Salec (Oroslavje, Croatia / Oroslavje Secondary School) and Dehaen broke the Eagles midway through the match to give the Highlanders the early 1-0 advantage.

Winthrop (16-6) took its first lead of the dual with straight-set wins from Liran Levy (6-3, 6-1), Guy Kubi (6-2, 6-2) and Sergey Belov (6-4, 6-4) just minutes apart on courts three, four and one, respectively.

The opening round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament will be held May 13 and 14 at regional sites, with selections and match-ups being announced May 3 on ESPNU.

RADFORD 4, WINTHROP 3
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Memorial Courts (Rock Hill, S.C.)

DOUBLES
No. 1: Ivan Salec/Thomas Dehaen (RU) def. Sergey Belov/Liran Levy (WU), 8-6
No. 2: Stijn Meulemans/Igor Ogrizek (RU) def. Guy Kubi/Nadav Ruppin (WU), 8-5
No. 3: Nick Sayer/Joe Mills (RU) vs. Dejon Bivens/Yuta Hirokawa (WU), unfinished (RU leading 6-5)

SINGLES
No. 1: Sergey Belov (WU) def. Ivan Salec (RU), 6-4, 6-4
No. 2: Nick Sayer (RU) def. Dejon Bivens (WU), 6-4, 6-4
No. 3: Liran Levy (WU) def. Joe Mills (RU), 6-3, 6-1
No. 4: Guy Kubi (WU) def. Igor Ogrizek (RU), 6-2, 6-2
No. 5: Stijn Meulemans (RU) def. Nadav Ruppin (WU), 6-2, 7-5
No. 6: Thomas Dehaen (RU) def. Yuta Hirokawa (WU), 6-4, 6-2