March 15, 2007

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Holding onto a slim 4-3 lead, senior Cory Fleck (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) won at No. 4 singles to clinch Thursday’s NCAA Division II men’s tennis match for the Knights over visiting Chowan University, 6-3, at the Scotland County Tennis Complex.

The Knights, who earned their first win of the season improving to 1-7 on the season, built a 2-1 lead after doubles winning the top two draws. No. 1 juniors Gabriel Arraiz (Caracas, Venezuela) and Andres Centeno (Porto Viejo, Ecuador) teamed up for a convincing 8-1 win. Fleck paired up with senior Daniel Reuben (Esher, Surrey, England) for their second straight win at No. 2 doubles prevailing 8-2 over the Hawks.

Senior Juan Carlos Arcila (Medellin, Columbia) and freshman Andrew Roberts (Tuckerton, N.J.) each rallied from first-set losses to win for SAPC. Arcila bounced back from an open 2-6 loss at No. 5 singles with perfect 6-0, 6-0 scores in the final two sets. Roberts pulled out a gutsy 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory at No. 6. Fleck secured the Knights victory with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 decision at No. 4 singles.

Arraiz posted the Knights sixth point with a 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) win at No. 2. Arraiz’ victory was his second singles ‘W’ of the season. Centeno dropped a close 6-4, 2-6, 2-6 match at No. 3.

St. Andrews will try and go for two straight when they host CVAC foe Erskine College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS:  St. Andrews Presbyterian College 6, Chowan 3

Singles
#1  Darick Gilman (CU) def. Daniel Reuben (SAPC) 6-0, 6-2
#2  Gabriel Arraiz (SAPC) def. Enrique Villagomez (CU) 6-1, 7-6 (10-8)
#3  Diego Timeteo (CU) def. Andres Centeno (SAPC) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
#4  Cory Fleck (SAPC) def. Raitis Abolins (CU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
#5  Juan Carlos Arcila (SAPC) def. Michael Fencil (CU) 2-6, 6-0, 6-0
#6  Andrew Roberts (SAPC) def. Cory Cline (CU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5

Doubles
#1  Arraiz/Centeno (SAPC) def. Gilman/Timeteo (CU) 8-1
#2  Fleck/Reuben (SAPC) def. Villagomez/Abolins (CU) 8-2
#3  Fencil/Cline (CU) def. Arcila/Roberts (SAPC) 8-4