RADFORD DROPS 4-3 MATCH TO UNC ASHEVILLE

RADFORD, Va. – Radford opened Big South play with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to UNC Asheville on Sunday afternoon as the Highlanders fought to the end.

With the loss, Radford falls to 7-4 on the season in only its second home match of the 2018 season.

"Today we had some missed opportunities that ended up costing us. It was close in doubles but losing the tiebreak in No. 3 doubles gave them a little edge," said head coach Rolando Vargas. "Yet, we started with a lot of energy in the first three singles matches. Our final three singles matches came out slow. We need to have the same level of intensity as a team."

After UNC Asheville took the first doubles match, Radford knotted the doubles as Alexandros Caldwell and Rodrigo Magalhaes battled for a 7-6 (11-9) win in No. 2 doubles as the point came down to the No. 3 spot.

Matko Varga and Michiel Meekers fell 7-6 (7-3) in No. 3 doubles as UNC Asheville captured the doubles point.

However, Meekers evened the match at one point with a 6-2, 6-4 victory in No. 3 singles.

The two teams traded points as No. 55 in the ITA national rankings Henry Patten handed the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead with a 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Magalhaes. Caldwell followed in No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) to knot the match at 2-2.

UNC Asheville clinched the match with wins in No. 4 and 5 singles, leading 4-2. Robin Calais closed out the match for the Highlanders with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win in No. 6 singles.

The Highlanders will host Delaware on Friday for a 3 p.m., match at the Radford University Tennis Courts.

Singles Competition

1. No. 55 Henry Patten (Asheville) def. Rodrigo Magalhaes (Radford) 0-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. Alexandros Caldwell (Radford) def. Oli Nolan (Asheville) 6-1, 7-6 (7-1)
3. Michiel Meekers (Radford) def. Olly Cull (Ashevile) 6-2, 6-4
4. Edward Colclough(Asheville) def. Matko Varga (Radford) 6-2, 7-5
5. Finlay McFadyen (Asheville) def. Carlos Sala (Radford) 7-5, 6-3
6. Robin Calais (Radford) def. James Massie (Asheville) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

Order of Finish: (3,1,2,4,5,6)

Doubles Competition

1. Cull/Patten (Asheville) def. Calais/Sala(Radford) 6-1
2. Caldwell/Magalhaes (Radford) def. Nolan/Colclough (Asheville) 7-6 (11-9)
3. Massie/McFadyen (Asheville) def. Varga/Meekers (Radford) 7-6 (7-3)

Order of Finish: (1,2,3)

Match Notes
UNC Asheville (4-8, 1-2 Big South)
Radford (7-4, 0-1 Big South)

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Players Mentioned

Robin Calais: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Alexandros Caldwell: 6' 1"; Junior

Rodrigo Magalhaes: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Michiel Meekers: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

Carlos Sala: 5' 11"; Senior

Matko Varga: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Robin Calais
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Alexandros Caldwell
: 6' 1"; Junior

Rodrigo Magalhaes
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Michiel Meekers
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

Carlos Sala
: 5' 11"; Senior

Matko Varga
: 5' 10"; Sophomore