# 66 Clemson 5, Davidson 2
CLEMSON, S.C. - The Davidson men¹s tennis team got things rolling for their 2010 spring season by playing against the 66th ranked Clemson Tigers, falling by the score of 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center.
The two teams were meeting for the eighth time, but the first since 1967 43 years ago. Davidson came in holding an overall series record of 5-2, and winners of the last two meetings.
The Wildcats (0-1) never backed down against the nationally ranked Tigers (2-0). They scored a win in doubles action, with Calum Gee and Walker Lyons bringing home an 8-7 victory after Clemson took decisions at the No.1 and 3 positions to capture the doubles point.
Davidson got both of its team points from a pair of freshman, who were making their collegiate debuts. Joe Schafer, who had an outstanding Fall season, got his college career off on a positive note with an impressive 6-4, 6-3 win over Gera Boryachinskly at No. 3 singles.
Then his fellow classmate, Chris Mark followed suit with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Robert Pietrucha at No. 4.
The third of the Wildcats¹ top-25 recruiting class this past year, Kevin Moore, also had a strong debut at the No. 6 position. He battled Juan Bolona in a two-set affair, falling 6-4, 6-4.
The January 16th date was the earliest the 'Cats have opened the season in the last 22 years. Two years ago they opened up against N.C. State on the 19th.
Davidson returns home for its home opener in a doubleheader against Presbyterian and Richmond, Jan. 23. The Wildcats will open against Presbyterian at 9 a.m. and then play Richmond at 3 p.m., both at the
Knobloch Tennis Center.
# 36 South Carolina 6, Wofford 1
Columbia, S.C. - Wofford men's tennis opened its spring season with a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the No. 36 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon at the USC Indoor Field House.
Wofford fell behind early in doubles 3-0 and was unable to overcome the deficit.
The Terriers only win came at number three singles where Paul Bartholomy defeated Ivan Cressoni 6-3, 6-2.
With the loss the Terriers fall to 0-1 in the season. The men's tennis team will be back in action on Wednesday January 20 when they will face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Georgia.
Duke Invitational
DURHAM, N.C. - Elon's Philip Nemec and Chase Helpingstine picked up an impressive 9-8 (5) win over Duke's Dylan Arnould and Alain Michel as the Elon men's tennis team opened up its spring season at the annual Duke Invitational. Elon newcomers Eric Turner and Thomas Darling also picked up points for the Phoenix.
"I thought our top two doubles teams played very well today," stated Elon head coach Michael Leonard. "However, we were unable to match Duke's consistent play in singles. We will get ready for another group of strong players from the University of North Carolina tomorrow."
The tournament is a round robin format with points awarded to each individual for victories based on the number of position they play in singles and doubles. The singles player and doubles tandem with the most points at the conclusion of the three-day tournament will be awarded as champions. Throughout the competition, Elon will be facing opponents from No. 19 Duke, No. 28 North Carolina and No. 62 East Tennessee State.
Nemec and Helpingstine earned five points for their victory at the top doubles position. Elon's number two doubles duo of Turner and Alberto Rojas went down to the wire with Duke's David Holland and Luke Marchese, falling in a heartbreaker, 9-8 (6). Darling and rookie Carlos Arboleda fell, 8-2, to the Blue Devils' Aaron Carpenter and Jared Pinsky at the number three spot.
In singles, Darling earned four points after battling out a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 1-0 (10-2) win over David Lue. Turner amassed seven points, winning the first set by a score of 6-1 before David Holland was forced to retire. Duke earned the remainder of the points, winning five singles matches in straight sets.