SALA CLINCHES 4-3 WIN OVER XAVIER

Thursday, March 8

Orlando, Fla.

10:00 AM

Radford University

Xavier

Photo by: Radford Athletics Communications

3/8/2018 8:00:00 PM | Men's Tennis

ORLANDO, Fla. – Radford collected its second 4-3 win in less than 12 hours as the Highlanders battled back to defeat Xavier in a Thursday neutral site match.

With the win, Radford has won two straight on its Spring Break trip, improving to 5-3 on the season.

"Although we didn't play our best doubles today, it was great team effort," said head coach Rolando Vargas. "Everybody showed up and it made for a huge difference in singles."

Xavier took the doubles point quickly, winning No. 1 and 3 doubles. Radford's double victory came in the No. 2 spot as Alexandros Caldwell and Rodrigo Magalhaes worked hard for a 7-6(6) victory, building the Highlanders some momentum for singles action.

The duo followed with quick matches in singles play as Caldwell knotted the match at one with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in No.1 singles. Magalhaes followed with a 6-3, 7-5 victory in No. 3 singles to give Radford a 2-1 edge.

Xavier and Radford would trade the next two matches as Matthew Graft battled back for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 decision in No. 6 singles to knot the match again.

Michiel Meekers showed his veteran prowess on the court with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory in No. 4 singles to give Radford a lead it would not give up.

Finishing off the clinching point was Carlos Sala in No. 5 singles, taking a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over Jan Vrba.

"I am liking how Carlos is competing of late. He has grown as a player early in the season," Vargas said. "He stepped up when we needed him the most and he won the definitive point."

Radford concludes its Spring Break trip on Friday, taking on NAIA member Webber International in a 12 p.m., match.

"We are one match from winning our weekly goal, so we have to finish stronger on Friday," Vargas stated.

Singles Competition

1. Alexandros Caldwell (Radford) def. Jack Dykema (Xavier) 6-3, 6-1
2. Brett Winters (Xavier) def. Matko Varga (Radford) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
3. Rodrigo Magalhaes (Radford) def. Trent Smith (Xavier) 6-3, 7-5
4. Michiel Meekers (Radford) def. Gabriel Araujo (Xavier) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Carlos Sala (Radford) def. Jan Vrba (Xavier) 7-6(2), 6-3
6. Matthew Graft (Xavier) def. Robin Calais (Radford) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

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

Doubles Competition

1. Araujo/Dykema (Xavier) def. Sala/Calais (Radford) 6-4
2. Caldwell/Magalhaes (Radford) def. Graft/LaFavre (XU) 7-6(6)
3. Winters/Alejandro Rodriguez-Vidal (Xavier) def. Varga/Meekers (Radford) 6-4

Order of Finish: (3,1,2)

Match Notes
Radford (5-3)
Xavier (2-10)