Feb. 11, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy tennis team won all three doubles matches to claim the deciding match point in defeating Richmond, 4-3. The win over the Spiders was the first since the 2002 season and improved Navy's record to 5-1 overall.

"Richmond is a very formidable opponent. They had been the Atlantic 10 Champions the last two years," said Navy head coach John Officer. "We played solid. We are capable of playing better. I thought we did a great job finishing the match and winning the games we needed to."

The two teams split at singles, 3-3, with Navy claiming victories at Nos. 3, 4 and 6. Adrian Lai (Tucson, Ariz.) won the deciding match in singles play with a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1, victory over Sami Belakhlef at No. 3 singles. At No. 4 singles, Brandon Carter (West Chester, Pa.) won a straight-set match over Chris Louis, 6-4, 7-5. Navy's last win in singles play came at No. 6 when Johnny Waters (Papillion, Neb.) won a 6-1, 7-5, victory over Mike Sommer.

Navy then cruised in doubles action, winning all three matches in convincing fashion. At No. 1 doubles, Nate Nelms (St. Mary's, Ga.) and Carter teamed up for an 8-5 victory. Stanley Kahl (Richland, Pa.) and Lai partnered up at No. 2 for an 8-5 win. And at No. 3 doubles, Waters and Jason Hill (Atlanta, Ga.) won an 8-7 (3) victory to finish the sweep.

"I thought Lai played very well today. He was our player of the day and really got some key wins," said Officer.

Navy will finish the weekend with a match against UNC-Greensboro, weather permitting. Action will start at 12:00 p.m., at the Severn Valley Racquet Club.

NAVY 4, RICHMOND 3                                       SINGLESNo. 1 -- Banker (R) def. Nelms, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-4No. 2 -- McNally (R) def. Hill, 7-6 (2), 7-5No. 3 -- Lai (N) def. Belakhlef, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1No. 4 -- Carter (N) def. Louis, 6-4, 7-5No. 5 -- Waikart (R) def. Kahl, 6-3, 6-4No. 6 -- Waters (N) def. Sommer, 6-1, 7-5
DOUBLESNo. 1 -- Nelms / Carter (N) def. McNally / Belakhlef, 8-5No. 2 -- Kahl / Lai (N) def. Banker / Waikart, 8-5No. 3 -- Waters / Hill (N) def. Louis / Sommer, 8-7 (3)

# GO NAVY #