Phoenix Falls for the First Time in Over Two Months

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. ? No. 22 Clemson captured two doubles matches and three singles bouts to eliminate No. 44 Elon 4-0 from the opening round in NCAA Men's Tennis Championship action Friday afternoon at the Upper Eight Courts on the Wake Forest campus.

The loss marks the first one for the Phoenix (program-best 23-3) in over two months since falling 6-1 at then-No. 16 Duke on March 7. Elon has won 14 consecutive matches ? its longest streak in 10 seasons ? entering its first NCAA Division I tournament appearance this week.

"I am so proud of this team and all that we have accomplished this season," said Phoenix mentor Michael Leonard, the Southern Conference Coach of the Year the past two seasons. "We ran into a buzz-saw today, but that doesn't diminish any of the success that we enjoyed this year."

During the 2006-07 campaign, Elon extended its active winning streak on its home courts to 22 consecutive victories while claiming the Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles in unbeaten fashion.

The Phoenix compiled an astounding 116-27 singles record (.811) and a sizzling 50-16 doubles slate (.758) this spring. Elon finished 3-3 against nationally-ranked teams and 20-0 against unranked programs this season.

"Between the singles and the doubles, I talked to the guys and told them that Elon will battle us tooth and nail," Clemson coach Chuck Kriese said. "We were ready for a long day and that helped us. I have a lot of respect for their program."

The Tigers (31-9) scored the doubles point when Jarmaine Jenkins and Ryan Young staved off Damon Gooch and Mason Schermerhorn 8-5 at No. 1 while Clement Reix and Kevin Fleck decisioned Gustaf Asplund and Kevin Colin 8-2 at No. 3. The Phoenix's Anuwat Dalodom and Austin Fenn was leading Rok Bizjak and Carlos Alvarez 5-4 at No. 2 when the point was determined.

Reix (6-0, 6-1 over Dalodom at No. 2), Ike Belk (6-1, 6-3 over Fenn at No. 6) and Young (6-2, 6-0 over Schermerhorn at No. 3) all claimed singles victories to clinch the match.

Clemson was ahead in two other singles matches when the contest ended as Bizjak was leading Sebastian Bredberg 6-3, 3-0 at No. 3 and Alvarez was on top of Asplund 6-5 at No. 5. Meanwhile, Elon's Gooch was leading Jenkins 6-3, 3-2 at No. 1.