O’KEEFE CONTINUES WINNING WAYS, MEN’S TENNIS FALLS 4-3 TO LIBERTY

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RADFORD, Va. – Senior Patrick O'Keefe extended his winning streak to 14 straight matches, but Liberty edged Radford, 4-3, Sunday afternoon in Big South men's tennis action at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

The Flames (13-9, 6-2 Big South) claimed the doubles point by prevailing at the top two flights. Egon Samaai and Sam Matheson topped O'Keefe and Jose Moreno Manzano, 8-5, on court one.

RU (8-10, 3-4 Big South) evened the doubles action on the strength of Michiel Meekers and Nikhil Mannepalli combining for an 8-4 triumph over Diego Castano and Jason Burgess at the No. 3 position. Jorge Azuero and David Bush clinched the 1-0 advantage for Liberty at No. 2 doubles, edging Janken Thoen and Samuel Taylor, 8-6.

After the Flames extended their lead to 2-0, Moreno Manzano posted Radford's first point of the day at the No. 4 position. The freshman upended Burgess in straight sets (6-1, 6-2).

Despite Liberty securing the Big South victory with wins at No. 2 and No. 5 singles, the Highlanders ended the match with a pair of victories.

O'Keefe, who was playing in his final home match, delivered an impressive 6-3, 6-4 decision over Matheson on court one. In addition to continuing his win streak, the Salem, Va., native improved his all-time home record to 21-2. He went unbeaten at the Radford University Tennis Complex as a sophomore, junior and senior.

Taylor recorded the final point for Radford by outlasting Bush in three sets (2-6, 6-1, 6-1) at the sixth flight.

The Highlanders hit the road for their final two regular-season matches. First up for RU is Tuesday's 10 a.m. tilt against South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C.

Liberty (4) def. Radford (3)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Sunday, April 12, 2015

Doubles competition
1. Egon Samaai / Sam Matheson (LU) def. Patrick O'Keefe / Jose Moreno Manzano (RU), 8-5
2. Jorge Azuero / David Bush (LU) def. Janken Thoen / Samuel Taylor (RU), 8-6
3. Michiel Meekers / Nikhil Mannepalli (RU) def. Diego Castano / Jason Burgess (LU), 8-4

Order of finish: 1, 3, 2*

Singles competition
1. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Sam Matheson (LU), 6-3, 6-4
2. Jorge Azuero (LU) def. Michiel Meekers (RU), 7-6 (5), 6-2
3. Egon Samaai (LU) def. Nikhil Mannepalli (RU), 6-2, 6-1
4. Jose Moreno Manzano (RU) def. Jason Burgess (LU), 6-1, 6-2
5. Diego Castano (LU) def. Janken Thoen (RU), 6-2, 7-6 (1)
6. Samuel Taylor (RU) def. David Bush (LU), 2-6, 6-1, 6-1

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

Match Notes
Radford (8-10, 3-4 Big South)
Liberty (13-9, 6-2 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

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