THOEN CLINCHES 4-3 ROAD TRIUMPH FOR MEN’S TENNIS

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Janken Thoen's three-set victory at No. 5 singles clinched Radford's first Big South men's tennis win of the season as the Highlanders prevailed, 4-3, against UNC Asheville Wednesday evening at the Asheville Racquet Club.

In a match lasting nearly six hours, RU strung together another singles rally to capture its second victory in as many days. Contrastingly, the Highlanders' 7-0 sweep of North Carolina A&T on Tuesday took 90 minutes.

Nonetheless, Radford (4-7, 1-1 Big South) knew a winning result would not come as easily at Asheville. The Bulldogs (9-4, 1-2 Big South) claimed the doubles point after prevailing in all three decisions.

UNCA extended its lead to 2-0 on the strength of a straight-set triumph at No. 2 singles. From there, Radford reeled off four straight singles points to clinch the dual.

Igniting the rally was senior captain Patrick O'Keefe, who downed Daniel Kripak (6-3, 6-4) at the top flight. The win was O'Keefe's seventh in a row, which improved his dual record to 8-2.

Interestingly, three of the remaining four singles matches were decided in three-set thrillers. Michiel Meekers was able to outlast Josh Swindler (6-1, 2-6, 6-3) at the No. 3 to tie the dual at 2. Samuel Taylor followed with a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory over Brett Landau in the sixth slot, which allowed Radford to surge ahead, 3-2.

Taylor's third straight singles triumph set the stage for Thoen to deliver the match-winner. After falling 7-5 in the opening set, Thoen rallied to win the second set (7-6) to force a decisive third set. In the final frame, the sophomore used the momentum established from his previous set to cruise to a 6-2 win.

The Highlanders return to the Radford University Tennis Complex for a pair of Big South clashes this weekend. On deck is Saturday's 11 a.m. contest against Presbyterian College.

Radford (4) def. UNC Asheville (3)
Asheville Racquet Club (Asheville, N.C.)
Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Doubles competition
1. Alex Croker / Brett Landau (UNCA) def. Patrick O'Keefe / Javier Waase (RU), 8-5
2. Thomas Panoulas / John Schubel (UNCA) def. Janken Thoen / Jose Moreno Manzano (RU), 8-2
3. Josh Swindler / Daniel Kripak (UNCA) def. Michiel Meekers / Nikhil Mannepalli (RU), 8-3

Order of finish: 2, 3*, 1

Singles competition
1. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Daniel Kripak (UNCA), 6-3, 6-4
2. Thomas Panoulas (UNCA) def. Nikhil Mannepalli (RU), 6-2, 6-4
3. Michiel Meekers (RU) def. Josh Swindler (UNCA), 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
4. Alex Croker (UNCA) def. Jose Moreno Manzano (RU), 1-6, 7-5, 7-6
5. Janken Thoen (RU) def. John Schubel (UNCA), 5-7, 7-6, 6-2
6. Samuel Taylor (RU) def. Brett Landau (UNCA), 7-6, 6-2

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

Match Notes
Radford (4-7, 1-1 Big South)
UNC Asheville (9-4, 1-2 Big South)

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Players Mentioned

Patrick O'Keefe: 5' 11"; Senior

Samuel Taylor: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

Janken Thoen: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Javier Waase: 5' 9"; Senior

Michiel Meekers: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jose Moreno Manzano: 6' 1"; Freshman

Nikhil Mannepalli: 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Patrick O'Keefe
: 5' 11"; Senior

Samuel Taylor
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

Janken Thoen
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Javier Waase
: 5' 9"; Senior

Michiel Meekers
: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jose Moreno Manzano
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Nikhil Mannepalli
: 6' 0"; Freshman