O’KEEFE, SAYER NOTCH WINS AGAINST SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

Follow @RadfordMTennis

RADFORD, Va. – Patrick O'Keefe and Nicholas Sayer prevailed in their respective singles contests, but South Carolina State hung on down the stretch for a 4-2 victory over Radford in nonconference men's tennis action at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

Despite being up a break in all three doubles matches, the Highlanders (6-12) could not secure the 1-0 advantage. After dropping the decision on court one, Radford answered with Sayer and Joe Mills downing Daniel Vala and Martin Figura, 8-5, at the second flight.

The Bulldogs (9-7) clinched the doubles point at the third position when Soufiane Mouline and Stanislav Baco outlasted O'Keefe and Nico Ascarrunz, 8-7 (7-2).

South Carolina State added to their lead with a pair of singles wins on courts five and six. O'Keefe slowed the Bulldogs' momentum by rallying in each of his two sets to defeat Martin Kozba (7-5, 6-4) at No. 2 singles. His fourth-straight win gives the junior 13 for the season.

Sayer closed the gap to 3-2 when he recovered from a second-set loss to earn a three-set 6-1, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1 triumph at the top flight. At 16-9, Sayer has the top singles record for the Highlanders.

However, Radford's attempt of a comeback ended at No. 4 singles when Mouline edged Aymeric Autones, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

The Highlanders conclude their stretch of five matches in four days with Saturday's 11 a.m. Big South battle against UNC Asheville at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

South Carolina State (4) def. Radford (2)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Friday, April 11, 2014

Doubles competition
1. Jiri Stiburek / Martin Kozba (SCST) def. Javier Waase / Aymeric Autones (RU), 8-5
2. Nicholas Sayer / Joe Mills (RU) def. Daniel Vala / Martin Figura (SCST), 8-5
3. Soufiane Mouline / Stanislav Baco (SCST) def. Patrick O'Keefe / Nico Ascarrunz (RU), 8-7 (7-2)

Order of finish: 1, 2, 3*

Singles competition
1. Nicholas Sayer (RU) def. Jiri Stiburek (SCST), 6-1, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1
2. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Martin Kozba (SCST), 7-5, 6-4
3. Joe Mills (RU) vs. Stanislav Baco (SCST), 6-4, 4-6, 1-3 (unfinished)
4. Soufiane Mouline (SCST) def. Aymeric Autones (RU), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Daniel Vala (SCST) def. Janken Thoen (RU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Martin Figura (SCST) def. Nico Ascarrunz (RU), 6-4, 6-1

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

Match Notes
Radford (6-12)
South Carolina State (9-7)

Print Friendly Version