Men's Tennis Tops Drexel 4-3 in Home Opener

Thursday, March 27

UREC Tennis Courts at University Park

2 p.m.

James Madison University

Drexel

3/27/2014 11:29:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va., March 27, 2014 – Playing in its home opener, James Madison edged Drexel 4-3 in Colonial Athletic Association men's tennis action Thursday at the UREC Tennis Courts at University Park.

The Dukes improved to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in the CAA, while the Dragons dropped to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Drexel earned the doubles point in thrilling fashion as all three matches went to a tiebreaker. Freshmen Miljan Ruzic (Sydney, Australia/St. Euphemia College) and Sebastian Salinas (Merida, Mexico/Preparatoria Abierta SEP) notched the lone doubles victory for the Dukes, topping Alex Fioravante and Xabier Saavedra 8-7 (8-6) in the No. 1 spot.

Trailing by one heading in to singles play, the Dukes regrouped and took four of the six matches to clinch the team win. Ruzic, Salinas, sophomore Robert Stirling (Caboolture, Australia/St. Columbans College) and freshman Brett Moorhead (Midlothian, Va./Cosby) all posted victories in singles play.

Salinas tied the match at 1-1 with his win at No. 2 singles. He cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Skyler Davis to improve to 12-13 overall and 7-6 in dual matches.

Stirling and Moorhead finished off their opponents shortly after to put the Dukes up 3-1. Stirling was a 7-5, 6-3 winner over Badr Ouabdelmoumen at No. 1 singles, while Moorhead downed Fioravante 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 4 spot. It was the eighth win of the year for Stirling and 10^th for Moorhead.

Drexel narrowed the gap to 4-2 with a three-set win at No. 3 singles, meaning JMU needed a win in one of the two remaining matches being played to clinch the match. Ruzic came through, giving the Dukes their first conference win of the season with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Dan Koehler at No. 5 singles. It was the third dual win of the season for Ruzic.

JMU takes a break in the conference schedule as it travels to Norfolk, Va. for a pair of non-conference matches this weekend. The Dukes will travel to take on Norfolk State at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and will play at Old Dominion at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

JAMES MADISON 4, DREXEL 3
Mar 27, 2014 at Harrisonburg, Va. (UREC Tennis Courts at University Park)

Singles competition

1. Robert Stirling (JMU) def. Badr Ouabdelmoumen (DU) 7-5, 6-3

2. Sebastian Salinas (JMU) def. Skyler Davis (DU) 6-1, 6-2

3. Xabier Saavedra (DU) def. Maxi Branth (JMU) 6-2, 0-6, 6-2

4. Brett Moorhead (JMU) def. Alex Fioravante (DU) 6-1, 6-3

5. Miljan Ruzic (JMU) def. Dan Koehler (DU) 6-3, 6-1

6. Paul Stauskas (DU) def. Niels Kathol (JMU) 6-1, 7-5

Doubles competition

1. Miljan Ruzic/Sebastian Salinas (JMU) def. Alex Fioravante/Xabier Saavedra (DU) 8-7 (8-6)

2. Skyler Davis/Dan Koehler (DU) def. Robert Stirling/Maxi Branth (JMU) 8-7 (7-0)

3. Badr Ouabdelmoumen/Daniel Hansen (DU) def. Alex Berdnikoff/Brett Moorhead (JMU) 8-7 (7-5)