MEN’S TENNIS HOLDS SERVE AT HOME WITH 5-2 VICTORY OVER LIBERTY

RADFORD, Va. – Behind an impressive comeback in doubles competition and stellar play in singles, Radford notched a 5-2 Big South men's tennis triumph over Liberty Saturday afternoon at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

Despite being edged 9-8 at No. 3 doubles, the Highlanders (5-10, 2-3 Big South) bounced back on courts one and two. The tandem of Nicholas Sayer and Thomas Dehaen improved to 4-1 in conference play with an 8-4 decision at the top flight over Shea Thomas and Egon Samaai.

The doubles point was decided on court two. Stijn Meulemans and Joe Mills fell behind early, but rallied in the end to slip past Jorge Azuero and Dillon Segur, 9-8, and secure a 1-0 advantage for Radford.

Meulemans carried his momentum into singles play, where he extended his win streak to nine-straight matches with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Siim Tuus. The junior moves to 9-2 overall on the season and 4-1 in league action. More importantly, his win gave the Highlanders a 2-0 edge.

Thomas put the Flames (10-8, 3-4 Big South) on the board with his 6-4, 6-4 victory over Sayer in the second slot to close the gap to 2-1.

Mills countered for RU on court four as the junior dispatched Azuero in straight sets (6-1, 6-3). Dehaen sealed the deal at No. 3 singles, prevailing 6-3, 6-3 over Segur. The senior improves to 8-4 overall and 4-1 in conference competition.

The Highlanders split the final two battles. After dropping the point on court five, Javier Waase provided the final margin with his 7-5, 6-1 victory over Guillem Secanell at the sixth flight.

Radford hits the road for its next conference match. The Highlanders travel down to Rock Hill, S.C. where Winthrop will be waiting on April 9. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.

Radford (5) vs. Liberty (2)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Saturday, April 6, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. SAYER, Nicholas / DEHAEN, Thomas (RU) def. THOMAS, Shea / SAMAAI, Egon (LU), 8-4
2. MEULEMANS, Stijn / MILLS, Joe (RU) def. AZUERO, Jorge / SEGUR, Dillon (LU), 9-8 (7-2)
3. TUUS, Siim / SECANELL, Guillem (LU) def. CARTER, Randall / WAASE, Javier (RU), 9-8 (7-5)

Order of finish: 3, 1, 2*

Singles Competition
1. MEULEMANS, Stijn (RU) def. TUUS, Siim (LU), 6-3, 6-1
2. THOMAS, Shea (LU) def. SAYER, Nicholas (RU), 6-4, 6-4
3. DEHAEN, Thomas (RU) def. SEGUR, Dillon (LU), 6-3, 6-3
4. MILLS, Joe (RU) def. AZUERO, Jorge (LU), 6-1, 6-3
5. SAMAAI, Egon (LU) def. CARTER, Randall (RU), 6-3, 6-3
6. WAASE, Javier (RU) def. SECANELL, Guillem (LU), 7-5, 6-1

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

Match Notes
Liberty (10-8, 3-4 Big South)
Radford (5-10, 2-3 Big South)

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