HIGHLANDERS DEFEAT IN-STATE RIVAL LONGWOOD, 6-1

RADFORD, Va. – Radford continued its dominance at home with a 6-1 triumph over Longwood Friday afternoon in Big South men's tennis action from the Radford University Tennis Complex.

“This was an important win for us,” head coach Mike Anderson said. “I have a ton of respect for Jakob Gustafsson (Longwood's head coach). He is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in America. Longwood is very fortunate to have him and will guide that program to success one day.”

Randall Carter and Javier Waase delivered an impressive performance at No. 3 doubles. The duo breezed by Steed Johnson and James Fudge, 8-1.

Radford (6-11, 3-4 Big South) captured the doubles point when Stijn Meulemans and Joe Mills grinded out an 8-6 decision on court two over Giorgi Khmiadashvili and Harry Kelleher.

Mills continued his success into singles competition where he blanked Kelleher (6-0, 6-0) in the fourth slot to improve to 4-3 in conference action. Patrick O'Keefe made his much-anticipated return by collecting a 6-1, 6-0 decision over Fudge at the sixth position to increase the Highlanders' advantage to 3-0.

Extending his win streak to 11-straight matches, Meulemans downed Khmiadashvili (6-2, 6-0) to clinch the league battle for Radford. The Belgium native moves to 11-2 overall and 6-1 in Big South competition. With his 67th career singles victory, the junior tied Wadi Rais ('99) for ninth all-time in program history at RU.

Also improving to 6-1 in conference matches was Dehaen, who recorded a 6-3, 6-4 decision over Edward Becker at No. 3 singles. By prevailing for the 10th time this season, Dehaen ties Mehdi Benhammou for fifth all-time in singles victories with 73 in his four years.

Sayer made the margin 6-0 in favor of the Highlanders when he took down Daniel Elston (6-3, 7-5) on court two. He improved to 4-3 in Big South competition in the process.

Longwood (5-13, 0-8 Big South) prevented the shutout when Johnson earned a hard-fought 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) win over Waase at No. 5 singles.

Radford welcomes Gardner-Webb to the New River Valley Saturday, April 13 for its final league battle of the season. The Runnin' Bulldogs (9-9, 3-4 Big South) and the Highlanders are currently tied for fifth in the Big South standings.

Radford (6) vs. Longwood (1)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Friday, April 12, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. ELSTON, Daniel / BECKER, Edward (LU) def. SAYER, Nicholas / DEHAEN, Thomas (RU), 9-8 (7-2)
2. MEULEMANS, Stijn / MILLS, Joe (RU) def. KHMIADASHVILI, Giorgi / KELLEHER, Harry (LU), 8-6
3. CARTER, Randall / WAASE, Javier (RU) def. JOHNSON, Steed / FUDGE, James (LU), 8-1

Order of finish: 3, 2*, 1

Singles Competition
1. MEULEMANS, Stijn (RU) def. KHMIADASHVILI, Giorgi (LU), 6-2, 6-0
2. SAYER, Nicholas (RU) def. ELSTON, Daniel (LU), 6-3, 7-5
3. DEHAEN, Thomas (RU) def. BECKER, Edward (LU), 6-3, 6-4
4. MILLS, Joe (RU) def. KELLEHER, Harry (LU), 6-0, 6-0
5. JOHNSON, Steed (LU) def. WAASE, Javier (RU), 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)
6. O'KEEFE, Patrick (RU) def. FUDGE, James (LU), 6-1, 6-0

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

Match Notes
Longwood (5-13, 0-8 Big South)
Radford (6-11, 3-4 Big South)
Time: 3:30

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