Men's Tennis Takes Season Opener

Friday, January 9

Boca Raton, Fla.

2:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

Xavier

1/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

Jan. 9, 2009

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's men's tennis team opened the 2009 season with a 5-2 victory over Xavier University, the defending Atlantic 10 Champions, Friday afternoon.

Xavier captured the doubles point sending the match into singles play where the two teams split the first four points. The Owls needing to win at least four matches. FAU swept all but one singles match to earn the victory.

Daniel Vardag was the first Owl to score with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory at no. 2 singles. Lawrence Harradine held the momentum with a 6-4, 7-5 victory at no. 3 singles. Playing no. 1 singles, Marc Abdelnour stretched the team lead to 3-1 with a 6-4, 6-4 win. The final three matches were all in their third sets. Santiago Nieto clinched his first collegiate victory and the Owls first dual match victory of the 2009 season. Joshua Scholl scored the final point at no. 4 singles with a 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory.

"The team demonstrated considerable spirit and relentless determination in singles today. Xavier is a tough defending champion with the talent to improve on last year's success," said Brandon Stokes, FAU's first-year head coach. "We competed and figured out ways to fight and execute even when not playing our best."

Doubles
Marc Abdelnour / Daniel Vardag (FAU)def. Chris Herrlinger / Doug Matthews (XU) 8-3
Ra'ees Ismail / J.T. Torbek (XU) def. Eddie Majcher / Joshua Scholl (FAU) 8-3
Bobby Deye / Brian Starr (XU) def. Lawrence Harradine / Santiago Nieto 9-8(4)

Singles
Marc Abdelnour (FAU) def. Doug Matthews (XU) 6-4, 6-4
Daniel Vardag (FAU) def. Chris Herrlinger (XU) 7-6(6), 6-2
Lawrence Harradine (FAU) def. Ra'ees Ismail (XU) 6-4, 7-5
Joshua Scholl (FAU) def. Bobby Deye (XU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
Richard Canelas (XU) def. Eddie Majcher 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Santiago Nieto (FAU) def. Mike Dieciuc (XU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2