April 26, 2009

MONROEVILLE, Pa. - Freshman Richard Canelas recorded the final point in the fourth-flight as second-seeded Xavier captured the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship on Sunday with a 4-0 win over No. 4 St. Bonaventure at the Club 4 Life.

The win marks the second consecutive A-10 crown for the Musketeers, who advance to next month's NCAA Men's Tennis Championship.

"We played great doubles today, we never really gave St. Bonaventure an opportunity to establish any momentum," said Xavier head coach Eric Toth. "Singles was kind of the same way, but you can't credit St. Bonaventure enough. To get to the match today and the way they played yesterday, they didn't make it easy."

Xavier jumped out to the early lead after capturing the doubles point courtesy of junior Chris Herrlinger and senior Doug Matthews taking their first flight match, 8-4. Senior Ra'ees Ismail and J.T. Torbeck picked up another win in the second flight, 8-1. Herrlinger also recorded a No. 2 victory against SBU's Chris Post, 7-6 (2), 6-4, while Torbeck picked up a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the sixth flight.

"They're winners, that's the bottom the line," said Toth. "I don't know if our talent is as good as five or six teams in this Conference, but they showed that they can beat anyone today. These kids have been winners, whether it's the high school level or the collegiate level. I really didn't know if we would win it though, the talent level in the A-10 right now is really deep and there were several teams that could've won it."

"I think we're definitely a deserving champion, especially with the pressure of being a defending champion. They handled it probably a lot better than I did. With a team like this, there's no other goal than getting back here and getting to the NCAA tournament."

Top-seeded George Washington claimed third place honors after downing third-seeded Saint Louis, 4-1. The Billkens took the doubles point after senior Sean McManus and freshman Jake Hendrie battled their way to a 9-8 (6) victory from the second fight, but with wins in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth flights the Colonials were able to overcome and secure their third straight top-three finish. The fourth place finish by the Saint Louis was its highest since joining the league.

In the opening contest of the day, No. 5 Charlotte edged sixth-seeded Temple to claim fifth place, 4-3. Sophomore Michael Anders of the 49ers was victorious in both is second-flight singles match (6-1, 6-2) and in third doubles along with junior teammate Mirza Beciragic (9-7).

Also on Sunday, No. 7 Duquesne turned in a strong showing over third-seeded No. 8 Saint Joseph's in the seventh-place match, 4-1. Sophomore Zach Skorupka and junior Mark Maciuch each notched singles victories from the first and third flights, respectively, after teaming together for a first-flight doubles victory, 8-4.

Final Standings
1. Xavier
2. St. Bonaventure
3. George Washington
4. Saint Louis
5. Charlotte
6. Temple
7. Duquesne
8. Saint Joseph's
9. Dayton/Richmond
11. Fordham/La Salle