Jan. 22, 2006

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Navy tennis team opened its 2006 spring campaign with mixed results during the season-opening VCU Invitational held on Saturday at Virginia Commonwealth. In the opener, Navy defeated Drexel, 5-0, before falling to 33rd-ranked Virginia Commonwealth, 5-0, in the nightcap. Navy is now 1-1 on the season.

"I thought we played pretty well at Nos. 3 and 4 singles and No. 1 doubles against Drexel," said Navy head coach John Officer. "Overall, it was a very good start for us."

Three of Navy's freshmen combined for two wins in Navy's 5-0 win over Drexel. At No. 1 singles, Nate Nelms defeated Carlo Pangiliman, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7, for his first career dual-meet victory. Adrian Lai won at No. 2 singles in three sets, while Brandon Carter and Stanley Kahl took home straight-set victories at Nos. 3 and 4 singles. In doubles play, freshmen Johnny Waters and Jason Hill scored a straight-set victory to cap Navy's 5-0 victory.

In the second match, Navy ran into a tough Virginia Commonwealth squad, falling 5-0. VCU entered the match ranked 33rd in the country and boasted two of the top 100 singles players in the country.

"They are a very good team. One of the best two we will play this year," said Officer. "Our guys played well, but VCU just didn't make many mistakes and made the plays when they needed to. We'll learn from the match, have a good week of practice and prepare for Howard next weekend."

Navy will host Howard and Mt. St, Mary's next Saturday in Annapolis, beginning at noon.

Navy 5, Drexel 0
No. 1 singles -- Nate Nelms (N) def. Carol Pangilinan, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7
No. 2 singles -- Adrian Lai (N) def. Joseph Koebele, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 10-3
No. 3 singles -- Brandon Carter (N) def. Pasquale Cardone, 6-0, 6-2
No. 4 singles -- Stanley Kahl (N) def. Ayushya Wadhwan, 6-2, 6-0
No. 1 doubles -- Johnny Waters / Jason Hill (N) def. Michael Keefe / Ben Trabin, 6-1, 6-1


#33 Virginia Commonwealth 5, Navy 0
No. 1 singles -- #52 Arnaud Lecloerec (V) def. Nate Nelms, 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 singles -- Petr Olsak (V) def. Jason Hill, 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 singles -- Georges-Alexandre Israel (V) def. Johnny Waters, 6-0, 6-1
No. 4 singles -- #85 Sebastian Ripoll (V) def. Brandon Carter, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8
No. 1 doubles -- Francese Lleal / Sergi Arumi (V) def. Stanley Kahl / Adrian Lai, 6-2, 6-1

# GO NAVY #