HIGH EXPECTATIONS AWAIT AS MEN’S TENNIS OPENS SPRING SLATE AT WILLIAM & MARY

RADFORD, Va. – Winners of five of the last six Big South Tournament titles, the Radford men's tennis team opens its 2013 spring campaign in Williamsburg, Va. against in-state rival William & Mary Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Returning five starters from last year's club that posted a 20-6 ledger, the Highlanders have their sights set on capturing the league crown and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. In addition to its success in the wins column, Radford has been nationally-ranked five consecutive years.

Perhaps even more impressive is the Highlanders' dominance in the Big South where the squad has posted a tremendous 41-3 mark in regular season play since 2006. During this span, RU has gone unbeaten four times (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012) in league regular season competition.

With a strong core returning, the Big South coaches selected Radford to defend its tournament title when the preseason poll was announced Wednesday.

Returnees include 2012 Big South Player of the Year Nicholas Sayer, who boasts a 62-26 record entering the spring campaign in singles competition. Leading Radford at the top singles position with a 29-12 ledger last season, Sayer became the seventh consecutive Highlander to be selected to compete in the NCAA Singles Championships.

All-conference performers Thomas Dehaen and Stijn Meulemans, along with Joe Mills (Big South Flight Champion – No. 5 singles) join Sayer as part of the returning nucleus looking to fuel Radford's drive for a third consecutive Big South crown. Sayer (29), Meulemans (27) and Dehaen (22) each crossed the 20-win plateau for the 2012 season.

Three-time Big South Freshman of the Week, Patrick O'Keefe, is back looking to improve upon his sensational rookie campaign where he finished with a 17-4 dual match record, including a 6-1 mark in league action.

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