April 5, 2008

MONROEVILLE, Pa. - The number two-seeded Xavier men's tennis team blanked the Charlotte 49ers, 4-0, Saturday in the semifinals of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship at the Club 4 Life. With the win, XU moves on to the championship match and will face No. 1 seed George Washington Sunday, April 6, at 11:00 a.m. for the title.

Xavier (12-6) started off the match by picking up hotly contested wins at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles. Sophomore Chris Herrlinger and junior Doug Matthews paired up for a 9-7 win over Jeff Archer and Brad Clinard at the one spot. In the two-slot, junior Ra'ees Ismail teamed up with sophomore J.T. Torbeck to narrowly get past Felix and Moritz Bernhoerster, 9-8(7).

"The doubles matches were really the turning point for us today," said head coach Eric Toth following to match. "Winning the doubles point propelled us into playing flawless singles. We can't wait to take the court tomorrow for the championship match."

Results
Xavier 4, Charlotte 0

Singles
1. Doug Matthews (XU) led Felix Bernhoerster (CHA) 6-4, 4-2 (DNF)
2. Chris Herrlinger (XU) def. Brad Clinard (CHA) 6-3, 6-4
3. Ra'ees Ismail (XU) vs. Michael Anders (CHA) 6-2, 0-6, 1-1 (DNF)
4. J.T. Torbeck (XU) def. Ricky Cuellar (CHA) 6-4, 6-1
5. Brian Schubert (XU) def. Moritz Bernhoerster (CHA) 6-3, 6-2
6. Mike Dieciuc (XU) led Chris Huynh (CHA) 6-4, 2-1 (DNF)

Doubles
1. Herrlinger/Matthews (XU) def. Archer/Clinard (CHA) 9-7
2. Ismail/Torbeck (XU) def. Bernhoerster/Bernhoerster (CHA) 9-8(7)
3. Anders/Jesse Hutchinson (CHA) def. Anthony Palmenter / Brian Starr (XU) 8-0