East Carolina University
Liberty
ECU Men's Tennis Edges Liberty 4-3
February 17, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 17, 2010
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina rebounded from an early doubles' point setback by claiming four of six singles matches to rally past Liberty 4-3 in men's tennis action Wednesday afternoon at the ECU Tennis Complex.
The victory improved the Pirates' spring record to 7-1 while the Flames dropped to 1-3.
Liberty jumped out to an early 1-0 team advantage with a pair of competitive doubles victories. Despite an 8-2 win by Bryan Oakley and Stephen Whitwell at the No. 2 position, the Flames clinched the point by taking the No. 1 and No. 3 matchups - using a 8-5 triumph by Tristan Stayt and Siim Tuus, and an 8-2 victory by Giancarlo Lemmi and Chad Simpson.
Jaroslav Horvath produced East Carolina's first tally, dismissing Tuus 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 1 slot. Whitwell followed with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Stavt. Liberty picked up another point at the No.3 position after Lemmi edged Henrik Skalmerud in three sets (3-6, 6-2,7-6). Massimo Mannino would even the match with a three-set singles win over Chad Simpson at the No.4 spot. To secure the game-winning point John Schmitt would defeat Louis Stven 7-6, 6-2.
East Carolina's match against Barton that was to follow the Liberty match has been postponed because of weather but will be re-scheduled for a date to be determined. The Pirates will return to action Saturday with a road match at Davidson beginning at 1:00 p.m.
EAST CAROLINA 4, LIBERTY 3
Singles Play
No. 1 - Jaroslav Horvath (ECU) def. Siim Tuus (LU); 6-3, 6-2
No. 2 - Stephen Whitwell (ECU) def. Tristan Stayt (LU); 6-3, 6-0
No. 3 - Giancarlo Lemmi (LU) def. Henrik Skalmerud (ECU); 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(7)
No. 4 - Massimo Mannino (ECU) def. Chad Simpson (LU); 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-2
No. 5 - John Schmitt (ECU) def. Louis Steyn (LU); 7-6(2), 6-2
No. 6 - Ben Wirth (LU) def. Bryan Oakley (ECU); 3-6, 7-5, 10-8
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Stayt/Tuus (LU) def. Skalmerud/Stian Tvedt (ECU); 8-5
No. 2 - Oakley/Whitwell (ECU) def. Steyn/Wirth (LU); 8-2
No. 3 - Lemmi/Simpson (LU) def. Horvath/Schmitt (ECU); 8-2
Team Records: Liberty 1-3, East Carolina 7-1
