Men's Tennis 5/6/2013 1:47:00 PM

YEAR IN REVIEW: 2012-13 MEN’S TENNIS

RADFORD, Va. – The six-time Big South champion Radford men's tennis team recently wrapped up its year, adding to the program's history that is rich with winning tradition.

Facing an always-difficult nonconference schedule, the Highlanders pulled off a thrilling upset of three-time defending Ohio Valley champion Eastern Kentucky in a neutral site match on March 3 at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.

From there, Radford hit the Lone Star State for its spring break looking to score a few marquee wins. Trailing 3-0 at UT-Arlington, the Highlanders put their rally caps on to prevail in the final four singles matches and post the 4-3 victory.

Continuing its winning ways, RU downed Lamar (4-2) the following day behind strong singles play.

In a rare position by starting 0-3 in Big South action, the Highlanders showed resiliency to finish with a 4-4 league ledger and earn the fifth seed for the conference tournament.

Radford faced archrival Winthrop on its home courts in the quarterfinals. In a match featuring two squads that had combined for the previous nine Big South titles, the Highlanders claimed the doubles point and three of the first four singles decisions to dispatch the Eagles, 4-1.

The victory was a very significant one. Not only did the triumph lift RU into the semifinals for the eighth-straight season, but it also was the 250th win for head coach Mike Anderson while at the helm of the Highlanders.

Awaiting Radford in the semifinals was top-seeded Coastal Carolina. Despite a hard-fought battle, the Highlanders could not pull off the upset, ending their year at 8-13.

Stijn Meulemans, Thomas Dehaen and Randall Carter are set to graduate in May. In addition to their high academic standards, all three played a vital role in adding Big South titles to Radford's trophy case.

A two-time All-Big South selection in singles and doubles, Meulemans ended his career on a 14-match win streak. The Belgium native concluded his career ninth all-time in program history with 70 singles victories.

In addition to his 70-31 mark in singles, Meulemans went 42-29 in doubles competition. He was a four-time flight champion, culminating as the Big South's No. 1 singles flight champion this season.

In the Highlanders' 2011 NCAA Tournament match against third-ranked Tennessee, Meulemans was poised to score an upset victory at No. 5 singles. He led 80th-ranked Matteo Fago (7-5, 4-3) when the dual was decided.

Dehaen had an equally impressive career, ascending to fifth all-time in program history with 74 singles victories. A three-time All-Big South selection in doubles and a two-time All-Big South selection in singles, Dehaen concluded his career with a 74-45 singles record and a 72-34 doubles ledger.

In addition to his 72 doubles victories, which ranks second all-time in program history, the senior was named the 2010 and 2011 No. 1 doubles flight champion.

Like Meulemans, Dehaen made the most of his two NCAA Tournament appearances. Against the Vols in 2011, Dehaen led Edward Jones (6-4, 2-4) at No. 6 singles when the match was called. A year later at sixth-ranked Kentucky, Dehaen was up a set (7-5, 1-1) against 80th-ranked Tom Jomby in the No. 4 singles position.

Also a member of the 2011 and the 2012 NCAA Tournament team, Carter was recently named the 2012-13 Radford University Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

In addition to earning a spot on the 2011-12 Radford University Presidential Honor Roll and the 2013 Big South all-academic team, Carter is a two-time Most Outstanding Student Award recipient. Furthermore, the Abingdon, Va. native is a two-time Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges selection.

“I commend Stijn, Thomas and Randall for representing our university and program with high character,” Anderson said. They were tremendous student-athletes, but even better people. It was an honor to coach these fine young men throughout their careers.”

Anderson welcomes back Nicholas Sayer, Joe Mills, Patrick O'Keefe and Javier Waase for the 2013-14 season.

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