CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston Cougars topped Samford 4-0 to win the Southern Conference Men's Tennis Tournament Monday morning.  It is the Cougars' first tournament title since 2003 and their second since joining the conference.

Both teams went 9-1 in league play during the regular season and the Cougars claimed a 4-3 victory over the Bulldogs on March 23.  The two squads also entered Monday's match with identical 17-4 records.  Monday was another closely contested match between the two programs as five of the six singles went into the third set.

Monday's match began with the Cougars winning the doubles point thanks to victories at No. 1 and No. 3.  Alon Faiman and Stephen Hardy beat Carson Kadi and Fernando Costa 8-5 at No. 3 for CofC's first win of the day.  Mickael Trintignac and Kyle Parker later scored an 8-5 victory over Zac Dunkle and Alexander Sajonz at No. 3 to clinch the point.

Billy Kenny pushed the Cougars ahead 2-0 after downing Garrison Laduca at No. 6 singles (6-3, 6-1).  After dropping the first set, Tom Delme rallied for a 2-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-1 win over Kadi at No. 2.  With three other matches in the third set, Faiman was able to hold off Sajonz at No. 5 (6-4, 1-6, 6-2) to give the Cougars their fourth point.

Delme was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after going 3-0 in singles play and 2-0 in doubles this week.

The Cougars will advance to the NCAA tournament.  Selections and pairings will be announced May 1 at 5:00 p.m. by the NCAA.


College of Charleston 4, Samford 0

Singles competition
1. Mickael Trintignac (COFC) vs. Zac Dunkle (SAM) 6-2, 1-6, 5-4, unfinished
2. Tom Delme (COFC) def. Carson Kadi (SAM) 2-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-1
3. Kyle Parker (COFC) vs. Elliot Barnwell (SAM) 5-7, 6-3, 1-2, unfinished
4. Crescente Lesser (COFC) vs. Fernando Costa (SAM) 6-2, 3-6, 1-2, unfinished
5. Alon Faimon (COFC) def. Alexander Sajonz (SAM) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
6. Billy Kenny (COFC) def. Ryan Shidler (SAM) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Mickael Trintignac/Kyle Parker (COFC) def. Zac Dunkle/Alexander Sajonz (SAM) 8-5
2. Billy Kenny/Tom Delme (COFC) vs. Elliot Barnwell/Ryan Shidler (SAM) 7-4, unfinished
3. Stephen Hardy/Alon Faiman (COFC) def. Fernando Costa/Carson Kadi (SAM) 8-5

Match Notes:
Samford 17-5
College of Charleston 18-4