Sept. 12, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The opening day of the Navy Invitational saw the Navy tennis team post a trio of victories over players from the combined team of Arkansas and Oklahoma, Friday afternoon at the Tose Family Tennis Center in Annapolis.

Highlighting the day for Navy were Owen Bullard (So., Concord, N.C.) and Ramsey Lemaich (Jr., Danville, Calf.), who combined to win their No. 2 doubles match over the Arkansas duo of Bradwin Williams and Nick Spinazze (8-2) before going on to win their respective singles matches. Lemaich posted a 6-2, 6-3 win over Spinazze at No. 4 singles, with Bullard tallying a 6-4, 6-3 win over Chase Miller from Oklahoma.

Also putting together a strong effort for Navy was Marcus Rebersak (Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.), who lost in a third-set tiebreaker to Bradwin Williams from Arkansas at No. 1 singles. Earlier in the day, Rebersak and Jarrad Smoke (Jr., Belmar, N.J.) lost a 9-7 decision at No. 3 doubles to Miller and Matt Walters from Arkansas.

"I thought we played well today," said Navy head coach John Officer. "Owen and Ramsey played really well in both of their matches, and Marcus was very impressive in singles. Our seniors also fought hard all day today. We had some chances to record a few more wins today against players from two major conferences."

The Navy Invitational continues with a pair of matches both Saturday and Sunday. All matches are currently slated to be played outdoors at the Naval Academy Tennis Courts, but should poor weather force the matches indoors they will instead be played at the Tose Family Tennis Center.

Saturday's schedule has the Mids playing Richmond at 9 a.m., followed by Maryland taking on the combined Arkansas/Oklahoma team at 2 p.m.

Navy vs. Arkansas/Oklahoma (played indoors at Tose Family Tennis Center)
Doubles
1 - Beleleu/Chanturia (OU) def. Birger/Hill, 8-5
2 - Bullard/Lemaich (N) def. Williams/Spinazze, 8-2
3 - Miller (OU)/Walters (ARK) def. Rebersak/Smoke, 9-7

Singles
1 - Bradwin Williams (ARK) def. Marcus Rebersak, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (1)
2 - Ionut Beleleu (OU) def. Johnny Waters, 6-3, 6-3
3 - George Chanturia (OU) def. Jason Hill, 6-3, 6-4
4 - Ramsey Lemaich (N) def. Nick Spinazze, 6-2, 6-3
5 - Matt Walters (ARK) def. Zach Nicholson, 7-5, 6-4
6 - Owen Bullard (N) def. Chase Miller, 6-4, 6-3