March 18, 2009

Boone, N.C. - The Furman men's tennis team began the trek to defend its Southern Conference title, opening league play with a 5-2 win over Appalachian State on Wednesday afternoon. The Paladins (10-7, 1-0) have won 13 consecutive regular-season conference matches, dating back to the 2007 season. Appalachian State dropped to 9-5 on the season, 1-3 in the SoCon.

"Appalachian State has a good team," commented Furman head coach Paul Scarpa. "They were ranked last week before falling to College of Charleston. We really had to fight to win this match. I was pleased with the win, but I know we are capable of playing at a higher level."

The match opened with a fight for the hotly contested doubles point. Furman managed wins in two of the three matches to earn the overall team point. Mountaineer duo Trent Constance and Peter Jacobs posted a 9-7 victory over Furman's Chris Motes and Chris Rhyne at number two. Furman evened things up as Jordan Walters and Andrei Chvetsov knocked off Britton Webb and Phillip Kloc at number three. Needing a victory at the top position, No. 67 Andy Juc and Bo Ladyman topped Bobby Lake and Lee Floyd to give Furman the 1-0 match advantage.

The Paladins quickly increased their advantage with singles wins at number one and two. Juc topped Lake, 6-2, 6-2 and Ladyman followed suit with a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Constance. Appalachian clawed back, posting victories at the number four and five positions. Paladin senior Daniel Knause managed to clinch the match with a three-set win against Peter Jacobs at number three.

Furman will return to its home court for the first time since the end of February when it hosts Davidson on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. Prior to the match, Furman will honor Coach Scarpa, who recently became the NCAA's all-time winningest coach. Scarpa has accumulated 823 victories in his storied career, surpassing the old record of 819 wins.

Furman 5, Appalachian State 2
Doubles
1. #67 Juc/Ladyman (FUR) def. Lake/Floyd (ASU) 9-8
2. Constance/Jacobs (ASU) def. Chris Motes/Chris Rhyne (FUR) 9-7
3. Walters/Andrei Chvetsov (FUR) def. Britton Webb/Kloc (ASU) 9-8
Order of Finish, 2, 3, 1

Singles
1. #121 Andy Juc (FUR) def. Bobby Lake (ASU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Bo Ladyman (FUR) def. Trent Constance (ASU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Daniel Knause (FUR) def. Peter Jacobs (ASU) 6-0, 4-6, 7-6
4. Lee Floyd (ASU) def. Philipp Fuekell (FUR) 6-4, 6-4
5. Phillip Kloc (ASU) def. Jordan Walters (FUR) 6-0, 1-6, 6-4
6. Sawyer Duncan (FUR) def. Alain Humblet (ASU) 6-2, 4-2 (default)
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 4, 5, 3, 6