April 9, 2005

GREENVILLE, South Carolina - Furman sophomore Ryan Friend claimed a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Elon's Alex Garrett Saturday at the Minor Mickel Tennis Center, to clinch the victory for the Paladin tennis team, sending the squad's record to 13-11 overall and 6-1 in the Southern Conference.

Furman swept doubles action to lead the match 1-0 entering singles play. Kevin Lackey defeated Brian Edmundson when the Elon freshman retired following a 6-1 loss in the first set. Chris Gilli claimed a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Kyle Smialek at No. 5 singles to put the Paladins ahead 3-0, then Friend finished off Garrett to seal the victory.

Allen Simmons was next off the court, coasting to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Pramote Malasitt at No. 1, before Stephen Nash earned the Paladins' sixth point of the day with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 2.

Elon's Sebastian Bredberg picked up the Phoenix only point of the day with a 6-4, 7-5 decision over freshman Brennen Phippen in flight three.

With the loss, the Phoenix fall to 5-14 overall and 0-9 in league play. The Paladins will host UNC Greensboro Sunday at 1:00 p.m., at the Minor Mickel Tennis Center.

Furman 6, Elon 1

Doubles

No. 1 Simmons/Keiffer (FU) def. Malasitt/Fenn (Elon) 8-6

No. 2 Scott Kahler/Lackey (FU) def. Edmundson/Smialek (Elon) 8-2

No. 3 Nash/Greg Maarschalk (FU) def. Bredberg/George Memory (Elon ) 8-2

Singles

No. 1 Allen Simmons (FU) def. Pramote Malasitt (Elon) 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 Stephen Nash (FU) def. Austin Fenn (Elon) 6-2, 6-2

No. 3 Sebastian Bredberg (Elon) def. Brennen Phippen (FU) 6-4, 7-5

No. 4 Kevin Lackey (FU) def. Brian Edmundson (Elon) 6-1, def.

No. 5 Chris Gilli (FU) def. Kyle Smialek (Elon) 6-0, 6-0

No. 6 Ryan Friend (FU) def. Alex Garrett (Elon) 6-2, 6-1