MEN’S TENNIS DEFEATS ELON IN HOME OPENER, 5-1

RADFORD, Va. – Radford opened its 2012 home slate with a 5-1 victory over Elon in non-conference men's tennis action Tuesday afternoon at the RU Tennis Courts.

Winners of 47 of their last 49 home matches, the Highlanders improve to 3-1 on the young season, while the Phoenix fall to 2-5.

“I was pleased with the way our team competed and battled against a very well-coached and strong Elon team after a month away from competition,” said Radford head coach Mike Anderson.

The match began with the singles competition and was played to decision as agreed upon by the two head coaches prior to the contest.

Shortly after Stijn Meulemans put the first point on the board for the Highlanders, junior Thomas Dehaen won his 21 consecutive dual match with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jordan Kaufam, to put Radford up, 2-0.

Ranked 62nd in the latest ITA Rankings, sophomore Nicholas Sayer put the Highlanders one win away from securing the match with a straight-set (6-4, 6-2) triumph at the top spot.

Freshman Patrick O'Keefe remained undefeated on the spring and clinched the match by defeating Carlos Arboleda, 6-0, 6-3 at the No. 6 position.

The Highlanders' other win came from Joe Mills, who won in three sets (6-1, 4-6, 6-0) over Andrew Prince.

Stefan Fortman recorded the lone victory for the Phoenix.

Radford returns to action this weekend when it travels to the Carolinas for Big South matches with Presbyterian (2/25) and Gardner-Webb (2/26). The Highlanders will also step out of conference to play Spartanburg Methodist Saturday afternoon.

Radford 5, Elon 1
February 21, 2012
Radford University Tennis Courts

Singles Competition
1.     Nick Sayer (RU) def. Cameron Silverman (ELON), 6-4, 6-2
2.     Stefan Fortmann (ELON) def. Igor Ogrizek (RU), 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
3.     Stijn Meulemans (RU) def. Juan Madrid (ELON), 6-0, inj
4.     Thomas Dehaen (RU) def. Jordan Kaufman (ELON), 6-2, 6-2
5.     Joe Mills (RU) def. Andrew Mills (ELON), 6-1, 4-6, 6-0
6.     Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Carlos Arboleda (ELON), 6-1, 6-3

Order of Finish: 3, 4, 1, 6, 5, 2

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