April 5, 2009

Final Stats

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Navy men's tennis team picked up its fourth N-Star in as many years and remained undefeated in the Patriot League this season after recording a 5-2 victory over Army Sunday afternoon at West Point, N.Y.

With the victory, Navy's Class of 2009 becomes the first class to win four N-Stars since the Class of 1991.

"I'm very proud of our team," said Navy head coach John Officer. "We have hit outside for maybe one hour over the last two weeks, but we handled playing outdoors very well, as well as the large Army crowd."

"One of the keys to our win was being able to come through in tight situations. When things became tight and when we really needed a point or a game, we were able to get it. We responded well to all adversities that we faced."

The Mids (15-7, 4-0) began the day by losing just eight games in winning the three doubles matches over the Black Knights (7-13, 3-1). Quickly recording the first doubles win was Navy's No. 2 team of Nick Birger (So., Belleville, Ill.) and Jason Hill (Sr., Marietta, Ga.), who posted an 8-0 victory over Chris Albornoz and Johnny Lucero. Navy then clinched the doubles point when Owen Bullard (So., Concord, N.C.) and Ramsey Leamich (Jr., Danville, Calif.) tallied an 8-3 win over Sean Harris and Don Van Velzer at No. 3 doubles.

Completing the doubles sweep was Navy's No. 1 team of Nate Nelms (Sr., St. Mary's, Ga.) and Johnny Waters (Sr., Papillion, Neb.) with their 8-5 victory over Phil Muhawi and Jordan Girdley.

Navy's Nos. 1 and 3 teams were both down a break of serve in their respective matches before coming back to win each contest.

After Lemaich gave Navy its second team point of the afternoon with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Van Velzer at No. 5 singles, the lead went to 3-0 when Hill posted a 6-3, 6-3 win over Albornoz at No. 4 singles. Army picked up its first point of the day when Girdley won a 6-4, 6-4 win over Marcus Rebersak (Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) at No. 3 singles, but Bullard secured the victory with his 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 win over Bruno Luciervo at No. 6 singles.

"Owen did a great job in closing out his match," said Officer. "He dropped the second set, but he came back great to win the third set and secure the victory for us."

The remaining two matches saw Harris post a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Waters at No.; 2 singles and Nelms record a 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-5) win over Muhawi at No. 1 singles.

Navy will conclude its regular season this week with matches Thursday at Lafayette and Sunday at Richmond.

Navy def. Army, 5-2
Doubles -- Navy wins the doubles point (match finish order: 2-3-1)
1 - Nelms / Waters (N) def. Muhawi / Girdley, 8-5
2 - Nick Birger / Hill (N) def. Albornoz / Johnny Lucero, 8-0
3 - Bullard / Lemaich (N) def. Harris / Van Velzer, 8-3
Singles (match finish order: 5-4-3-6-2-1)
1 - Nate Nelms (N) def. Phil Muhawi, 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-5)
2 - Sean Harris (A) def. Johnny Waters, 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
3 - Jordan Girdley (A) def. Marcus Rebersak, 6-4, 6-4
4 - Jason Hill (N) def. Chris Albornoz, 6-3, 6-3
5 - Ramsey Lemaich (N) def. Donald Van Velzer, 6-0, 6-2
6 - Owen Bullard (N) def. Bruno Luciervo, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3