MEN’S TENNIS WINS REMATCH OF 2012 BIG SOUTH TITLE TILT, 6-1

RADFORD, Va. – Playing for the first time on its home courts this season, Radford cruised to the 6-1 triumph over Presbyterian College in Big South men's tennis action Friday afternoon from the Radford University Tennis Complex.

The league battle was the first meeting between the two sides since they met for the 2012 conference championship when the Highlanders won, 4-0, and advanced to their fifth NCAA Tournament.

RU (4-9, 1-3 Big South) went ahead 1-0 by claiming the doubles point with victories on courts one and two. Stijn Meulemans and Joe Mills evened their doubles record at 1-1 in conference play with an 8-6 decision in the second slot over Grayson Mills and Rafael Berghaus.

Nicholas Sayer and Thomas Dehaen clinched the point at No. 1 doubles with an 8-6 win over Andrew Brigham and William O'Connell. The duo improves to 3-1 in Big South competition.

After the Blue Hose (15-9, 2-3 Big South) evened the dual at 1-1 with a victory on court six, Sayer gave the Highlanders the lead for good, as the junior was dominant on court three with a 6-1, 6-0 triumph over Danny Bruce. He improves his record to 3-1 in league action.

J. Mills was next to finish as he downed Berghaus in straight sets (6-0, 6-4) to even his conference ledger at 2-2 and give Radford the 3-1 edge. Dehaen claimed the decisive point at No. 2 singles by prevailing 7-5, 6-3 over O'Connell. In addition, the senior remained unbeaten when playing at the second flight (3-0).

Playing at the top spot for the first time this season, Meulemans continued his torrid streak by winning his eighth match in a row, a 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8) decision over G. Mills. With the victory, the junior moves to 3-1 in Big South duals.

Randall Carter put the finishing touches on the Highlanders' impressive home opener by dispatching Brigham on court five (7-5, 7-5).

Radford travels up Interstate 81 to Harrisonburg, Va. for a nonconference dual with in-state rival James Madison on Wednesday, April 3. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.

Radford (6) vs. Presbyterian College (1)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Friday, March 29, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. SAYER, Nicholas / DEHAEN, Thomas (RU) def. BRIGHAM, Andrew / O'CONNELL, William (PC) 8-6
2. MEULEMANS, Stijn / MILLS, Joe (RU) def. MILLS, Grayson / BERGHAUS, Rafael (PC) 8-6
3. BRUCE, Danny / SNEAD, Edward (PC) def. CARTER, Randall / WAASE, Javier (RU) 8-6

Order of finish: 2, 1*, 3

Singles Competition
1. MEULEMANS, Stijn (RU) def. MILLS, Grayson (PC) 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
2. DEHAEN, Thomas (RU) def. O'CONNELL, William (PC) 7-5, 6-3
3. SAYER, Nicholas (RU) def. BRUCE, Danny (PC) 6-1, 6-0
4. MILLS, Joe (RU) def. BERGHAUS, Rafael (PC) 6-0, 6-4
5. CARTER, Randall (RU) def. BRIGHAM, Andrew (PC) 7-5, 7-5
6. ASIS, Gonzalo (PC) def. WAASE, Javier (RU) 6-1, 6-1

Order of finish: 6, 3, 4, 2*, 1, 5

Match Notes
Presbyterian College (15-9, 2-3 Big South)
Radford (4-9, 1-3 Big South)
Time: 3:20

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