MEN’S TENNIS SHOWS TOUGHNESS AGAINST NO. 67 GEORGE WASHINGTON

RADFORD, Va. – Despite a 4-0 loss to 67th-ranked George Washington in a nonconference men's tennis match, Radford showed measured improvement in its third match in three days.

"I saw a toughness from our guys this afternoon that I haven't seen all year," head coach Mike Anderson said. "Whatever they are doing, I don't want them to stop it because that kind of determination is what it takes to win a conference championship."

Greg Munoz, head coach of GW, echoed Anderson's perspective. "Radford is ready…those guys know how to get the job done. You look at their banners around this facility and it's obvious this program knows how to win when it matters."

George Washington (15-5) established an early advantage in doubles competition when Danil Zelenkov and Nikita Fomin prevailed, 8-2, on court two against Stijn Meulemans and Joe Mills. The Colonials captured the 1-0 lead when the 90th-ranked tandem of Francisco Dias and Leonardo Lapentti edged Patrick O'Keefe and Randall Carter at No. 3 doubles, 8-6.

The visitors increased their lead to 3-0 when they earned victories on courts five and two. Things would get interesting when O'Keefe, Meulemans and Mills won their first sets at No. 6, No. 1 and No. 4 singles, respectively.

However the threat of a comeback ended when Zelenkov outlasted Thomas Dehaen in three sets (6-1, 4-6, 6-4) on court three to secure the 4-0 triumph.

The Highlanders (7-12) conclude their regular season Wednesday, April 17 at 10 a.m. against South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C. Radford will then travel to Rock Hill, S.C. to compete for its sixth Big South title and the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

Radford (0) vs. No. 67 George Washington (4)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Sunday, April 14, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. Alexander van Gils / Ulrik Thomsen (GW) led Nicholas Sayer / Thomas Dehaen (RU), 6-5
2. Danil Zelenkov / Nikita Fomin (GW) def. Stijn Meulemans / Joe Mills (RU), 8-2
3. No. 90 Francisco Dias / Leonardo Lapentti (GW) def. Patrick O'Keefe / Randall Carter (RU), 8-6

Order of finish: 2, 3*

Singles Competition
1. Stijn Meulemans (RU) led Nikita Fomin (GW), 7-6 (10-8), 1-6, 1-0
2. Francisco Dias (GW) def. Nicholas Sayer (RU), 6-4, 6-2
3. Danil Zelenkov (GW) def. Thomas Dehaen (RU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
4. Joe Mills (RU) led Alexander van Gils (GW), 7-6 (7-1), 5-3
5. Leonardo Lapentti (GW) def. Randall Carter (RU), 6-1, 6-1
6. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) vs. Viktor Svensson (GW), 6-2, 6-7 (6-8)

Order of finish: 5, 2, 3*

Match Notes
No. 67 George Washington (15-5)
Radford (7-12)

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