GARDNER-WEBB RALLIES IN SINGLES TO DOWN MEN’S TENNIS, 5-2

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RADFORD, Va. – Despite prevailing in doubles, Radford was unable to stop Gardner-Webb's singles rally as the Highlanders suffered a 5-2 setback Saturday in Big South men's tennis action at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

Radford claimed two of the three doubles decisions to capture the early 1-0 edge over the Runnin' Bulldogs (9-12, 3-5 Big South). Two of the three doubles matches went to a tiebreaker. Michiel Meekers and Nikhil Mannepalli improved to 5-4 as a doubles tandem at the No. 3 position behind their 8-5 victory over Paul Hogan and Jonathan Walker.

Janken Thoen and Samuel Taylor delivered a strong performance on court two, defeating Benjamin Kaszas and Korhan Ates, 8-7 (8-6), to clinch the doubles point for the Highlanders (8-9, 3-3 Big South). The sophomore pairing improved to 3-1 at No. 2 doubles.

However, O'Keefe was the lone RU player to register a singles victory. The Salem, Va., native won his 13^th straight decision at No. 1 singles by downing Nikita Zverkov in straight sets (7-5, 6-4).

The Highlanders wrap up the home portion of their schedule Sunday, April 12 against in-state foe Liberty. First serve is set for 1 p.m. at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

Gardner-Webb (5) def. Radford (2)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Saturday, April 11, 2015

Doubles competition
1. Ernest Alberch / Nikita Zverkov (GWU), def. Patrick O'Keefe / Jose Moreno Manzano (RU), 8-7 (11-9)
2. Janken Thoen / Samuel Taylor (RU) def. Benjamin Kaszas / Korhan Ates (GWU), 8-7 (8-6)
3. Michiel Meekers / Nikhil Mannepalli (RU) def. Paul Hogan / Jonathan Walker (GWU), 8-5

Order of finish: 3, 2*, 1

Singles competition
1. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Nikita Zverkov (GWU), 7-5, 6-4
2. Benjamin Kaszas (GWU) def. Nikhil Mannepalli (RU), 6-4, 6-4
3. Ernest Alberch (GWU) def. Michiel Meekers (RU), 6-2, 6-2
4. Korhan Ates (GWU) def. Jose Moreno Manzano (RU), 6-3, 6-2
5. Yoroslav Prostakov (GWU) def. Janken Thoen (RU), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
6. Brendan Dempsey (GWU) def. Samuel Taylor (RU), 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)

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

Match Notes
Radford (8-9, 3-3 Big South)
Gardner-Webb (9-12, 3-5 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

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

Michiel Meekers
: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jose Moreno Manzano
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Nikhil Mannepalli
: 6' 0"; Freshman