MEN’S TENNIS HOLDS OFF RUNNIN’ BULLDOGS, 4-3, IN BIG SOUTH FINALE

RADFORD, Va. – In addition to earning the doubles point, Radford captured three of the first four singles matches to claim a 4-3 Big South men's tennis decision over Gardner-Webb Saturday afternoon at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

“This is the type of match we were losing earlier in the year,” head coach Mike Anderson pointed out. “So we are showing progress in that regard. Our guys hung in there against a very competitive opponent.”

Stijn Meulemans and Joe Mills scored an 8-3 triumph over Nikita Zverkov and Adam Knutsson at No. 2 doubles to kick-off the afternoon for the Highlanders (7-11, 4-4 Big South).

Gardner-Webb (9-10, 3-5 Big South) answered on court three when Brendan Dempsey and Joao Poli prevailed 9-8 (8-6) over Randall Carter and Javier Waase.

The deciding match for the doubles point came down to the top flight where Nicholas Sayer and Thomas Dehaen outlasted Matt Parker and Benjamin Kaszas, 9-8 (7-4). The victory was significant for Dehaen, who climbed into second place all-time at Radford in career doubles wins with 71.

The senior carried his momentum into singles play where he overpowered Kaszas (6-0, 6-1) to put the Highlanders on top, 2-0. Dehaen improved to 11-4 overall and 7-1 in league action.

As soon as the Runnin' Bulldogs pulled within 2-1 following a victory at the fifth position, Meulemans countered for RU. The junior won his 12th match in a row following a 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) triumph over Knutsson on court one. Meulemans stands at 12-2 on the season and 7-1 in conference competition.

Patrick O'Keefe delivered the match-clinching decision at No. 6 singles by grinding out a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Poli. The sophomore moves to 6-5 for the dual season.

Gardner-Webb prevailed on courts two and four to provide the final margin.

The Highlanders conclude their home slate with a match against 67th-ranked George Washington, Sunday, April 14 at noon. Riding a seven-match win streak, the Colonials enter tomorrow's clash with a 14-5 record.

Radford (4) vs. Gardner-Webb (3)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Saturday, April 13, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. Nicholas Sayer / Thomas Dehaen (RU) def. Matt Parker / Benjamin Kaszas (GWU), 9-8 (7-4)
2. Stijn Meulemans / Joe Mills (RU) def. Nikita Zverkov / Adam Knutsson (GWU), 8-3
3. Brendan Dempsey / Joao Poli (GWU) def. Randall Carter / Javier Waase (RU), 9-8 (8-6)

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1*

Singles Competition
1. Stijn Meulemans (RU) def. Adam Knutsson (GWU), 6-1, 7-6 (7-5)
2. Roman Piftor (GWU) def. Nicholas Sayer (RU), 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
3. Thomas Dehaen (RU) def. Benjamin Kaszas (GWU), 6-0, 6-1
4. Nikita Zverkov (GWU) def. Joe Mills (RU), 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
5. Brendan Dempsey (GWU) def. Javier Waase (RU), 7-5, 6-4
6. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Joao Poli (GWU), 7-5, 7-5

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

Match Notes
Gardner-Webb (9-10, 3-5 Big South)
Radford (7-11, 4-4 Big South)
Time: 3:20

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