Xavier Holds Off Determined St. Bonaventure Squad 5-2 Friday

March 20, 2010

CINCINNATI -- The Xavier tennis teams played an Atlantic 10 double header Friday night at the Eastern Hills Tennis Center and both the Musketeer men and women came out with a conference win over St. Bonaventure. The XU men held off the Bonnies for a 5-2 victory Friday.

"Another very good conference win for our guys," said XU head coach Eric Toth. "I am really happy how we competed this evening. St. Bonaventure plays with so much heart and mental toughness that you have to bring your best from a competitive standpoint to beat a team like them. They will be a very, very tough out for anybody come Atlantic 10 tournament time.

"Anthony Palmenter and Brian Starr were outstanding at number two doubles tonight. I am so proud how these two have performed for this team all season. Chris Herrlinger and J.T. Torbeck really had to dig deep to earn victories tonight as well. It was nice to get Bobby Deye back as well. For his first match back he really played well. His opponent (Sudakov) was just a few points better and really played a great match. This was a great team win in the sense that seven guys contributed. Our depth has been key all year and will continue to be the case."

Deye faced Mikhail Sudakov in his first match of the 2010 season after being hampered by injury. Deye gave a great effort but fell to Sudakov 7-6, 7-6 in the No. 4 match.

Freshman standout Brandon MacDonald moved to No. 6 but that did not stop him from earning a 6-1, 6-1 win over Luis Guevara.

The doubles point proved crucial as XU managed two wins out of three doubles matches. Anthony Palmenter and Brian Starr continued their success at No. 2 with an 8-5 win, and Marc Pretorius and JT Torbeck posted an 8-3 win at No. 3.

With the victory, the Musketeers improve to 10-6 overall and 4-1 in the Atlantic 10. XU will return to action March 26 as it hosts A-10 foe Saint Louis.

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