Sophomore Trent Constance was victorious in singles and doubles action for the Mountaineers. (Photo: ASU Athletics) Game statistics

Men's Tennis Advances to Semifinals With Thrilling Win Over Davidson
by Appalachian Sports Information

April 18 - CHARLESTON, S.C.- For the first time in three years, the Appalachian State men's tennis team advances to the Southern Conference semi-finals after completing a season sweep of Davidson. The Mountaineers defeated the Wildcats for the second time this season, winning 4-3. With the win, Appalachian earns its 13th win of the year, tying their 2007 record of 13-9. The Wildcats end their 2008 campaign with an overall record of 14-8.

For the third straight match, Appalachian was able to win the crucial doubles point. The Apps also were victorious in all three matches, something they were able to do against the Wildcats earlier this season as well.

At the No. 1 spot, the team of Bobby Lake and Trent Constance battled Flaviu Simihaian and Ethan Jaffee and were able to narrowly escape the duo, pulling off the 9-7 win.

Reigning SoCon Player of the Week Peter Jacobs and his partner Lee Floyd followed Constance's and Lake's lead as they defeated Phillip Compeau and Eric Noble 8-5 at the No. 2 position.

Ryan Brookshaw and David Doverspike finished doubles action on a solid note, as they beat their opponent at the No. 3 spot 8-6 .

The Mountaineers carried their momentum into singles play, as the Apps were able to eek out three more victories to earn the go-ahead win.

Lake got things started for ASU at the No. 1 singles spot, as he faced a challenging competitor in Simihaian. Lake fell to Simihaian for the second time this season, losing in two sets.

Brookshaw also battled a solid opponent at the No. 3 singles spot, as he fell to Jaffee in three sets, losing 6-3, 0-6 and 3-6.

Jacobs began the Apps comeback at the No. 4 spot, as he won his 14th match of the season in singles action, easily defeating Walker Lyons in two sets, 6-4 and 6-2. Jacobs now improves to 14-7 on the season and 8-2 against SoCon opponents.

Just as the Mountaineers were able to tie the match score at two apiece, Doverspike was unable to grab a key win over Scott Myers, as he lost in two sets, 7-5 and 6-3.

The last two matches of the day proved to be the most critical, as they decided the overall outcome of the match.

Posting one of his most impressive performances of the season, Constance was able to with hold a comeback from his opponent, as he narrowly defeated Noble in three sets, winning 6-2, 3-6 and 7-6 to tie the match score at three all.

The deciding factor came down to Floyd, and he came up big for Appalachian as well, as he also was victorious over his opponent, winning in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Appalachian will now face No. 67 Furman in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Earle Tennis Center on The Citadel's campus. The Paladins have won the SoCon Tournament three out of the past 12 years, with their last title coming in 2006.