PRESBYTERIAN WINS CONFERENCE OPENER OVER MEN’S TENNIS

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RESULTS

CLINTON, S.C. – Despite singles wins from Patrick O'Keefe and Joe Mills, Radford could not hold back Presbyterian College as the Blue Hose prevailed, 5-2, in the Big South men's tennis opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at the Templeton Tennis Center.

"This may be the best team in our conference," head coach Mike Anderson said. "They are very well-coached, talented and tough to beat at home. We have been improving and will continue to improve. It's a long way to the conference tournament, and that is when we want to be playing our best."

With the win, PC wins its sixth match in a row to move to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big South. Radford falls to 0-3 on the season and 0-1 in the league.

The Blue Hose grabbed the doubles point with wins at the second and third flights. Grayson Mills and Diego Manzanas cruised to an 8-1 victory over J. Mills and Nico Ascarrunz. The point was clinched when Ben Kelley and Ryan Miller prevailed, 8-4, over Janken Thoen and Javier Waase on court two.

Singles play was much closer as the two sides were fighting for their first conference win. O'Keefe drew the dual level when he claimed a 6-4, 6-2 decision against Rafael Berghaus at the No. 2 position.

PC edged out the next two points as Gonzalo Asis delivered a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Aymeric Autones at the sixth flight. The Blue Hose pushed their lead to 3-1 when G. Mills improved to 6-2 in dual matches with his 6-4, 6-4 victory over Nicholas Sayer. Joel Roberts registered the match-clinching point on court three with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 win over Ascarrunz.

The two remaining matches went three sets, with J. Mills earning a 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4) decision against Ben Kelley.

Radford will aim to even its Big South record tomorrow at 1 p.m. when the Highlanders travel to Boiling Springs, N.C. to battle Gardner-Webb.

Presbyterian College (5) def. Radford (2)
Templeton Tennis Center (Clinton, S.C.)
Saturday, February 15, 2014

Doubles competition
1. Joel Roberts / Rafael Berghaus (PC) def. Nicholas Sayer / Patrick O'Keefe (RU), 8-5
2. Ben Kelley / Ryan Miller (PC) def. Janken Thoen / Javier Waase (RU), 8-4
3. Grayson Mills / Diego Manzanas (PC) def. Joe Mills / Nico Ascarrunz (RU), 8-1

Order of finish: 3, 2*, 1

Singles competition
1. Grayson Mills (PC) def. Nicholas Sayer (RU), 6-4, 6-4
2. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Rafael Berghaus (PC), 6-4, 6-2
3. Joel Roberts (PC) def. Nico Ascarrunz (RU), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
4. Ryan Miller (PC) def. Janken Thoen (RU), 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
5. Joe Mills (RU) def. Ben Kelley (PC), 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4)
6. Gonzalo Asis (PC) def. Aymeric Autones (RU), 6-4, 6-4

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

Match Notes
Radford (0-3, 0-1 Big South)
Presbyterian College (8-1, 1-0 Big South)
Time – 2:55

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