SAYER PULLS OFF UPSET AGAINST NATIONALLY-RANKED SILVERMAN

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RADFORD, Va. – Nicholas Sayer earned his first win of the season over a nationally-ranked player to give Radford a chance at an upset, but No. 44 Elon rallied late to secure a 5-2 victory over the Highlanders in nonconference men's tennis Sunday afternoon at Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center in Greensboro, N.C.

Meeting for the third time in dual matches in their illustrious careers, Sayer and 38^th-ranked Cameron Silverman did not disappoint in their battle at the top spot. Despite Sayer prevailing 6-3 in the opening set, he knew his opponent would bring a tougher fight in the second stanza. And a fight it was. Eventually going to a tiebreaker, Sayer was able to outlast Silverman, 7-2, to earn the straight-set triumph. It was only Silverman's fourth loss of the year, while Sayer improved to 5-3.

Prior to Sayer's win, Joe Mills put the Highlanders (1-8) on the board first with his 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles. Like Sayer, Mills also moved to 5-3 on the season.

Trailing 1-0, the Phoenix (10-3) responded with wins on courts 2-4 to surge ahead, 3-1. Once Sayer won to pull Radford within 3-2, attention turned to court six where Janken Thoen and Juan Madrid were clashing. Thoen pushed Madrid to a tiebreaker in the first frame before being edged, 7-5. Madrid clinched the match for Elon by taking the second set, 6-3.

The two sides decided to only play singles to allow Radford time to return to campus before inclement weather hit the New River Valley.

The Highlanders are scheduled to host Campbell at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. However, the pending winter storm may force the match to be rescheduled.

No. 44 Elon (4) def. Radford (2)
Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center (Greensboro, N.C.)
Sunday, March 16, 2014

Singles competition
1. Nicholas Sayer (RU) def. No. 38 Cameron Silverman (Elon), 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
2. Stefan Fortmann (Elon) def. Patrick O'Keefe (RU), 6-3, 6-1
3. Robert Lindgren (Elon) def. Nico Ascarrunz (RU), 6-2, 6-1
4. Brian Kowalski (Elon) def. Javier Waase (RU), 6-2, 6-0
5. Joe Mills (RU) def. Jordan Kaufman (Elon), 6-2, 6-0
6. Juan Madrid (Elon) def. Janken Thoen (RU), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3

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

Match Notes
Radford (1-8)
No. 44 Elon (10-3)

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