Pirate tennis stays perfect, chases three-peat championships

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The top-ranked and two-time defending NCAA Divison II national champion AASU men’s tennis team notched a few convincing victories over visiting Augusta State University (ASU), USC Aiken and Anderson (SC) over the late February weekend at Bacon Park in the Pirates’ 2010 home opener.

The Pirates (4-0, 2-0 PBC) did not drop a set in picking up the victory, while handing the No. 26-ranked Jaguars (3-1, 0-1 PBC) their first loss of the 2010 season.

AASU began by sweeping all three doubles matches as the fourth-ranked duo of Rafael Array and Mikk Irdoja defeated the No. 21-ranked duo of Henrique Boturao and Bernardo Fernandes, 8-6 at No. 1 doubles.

Bonet paced the Pirates in singles, knocking off Stevenson, 6-4, 6-0, at No. 1 singles. Seventh-ranked Irdoja swept past Fernandes, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 2 singles, while Mydla defeated Boturao, 6-2, 7-6 (3) at No. 3 singles.

The AASU men’s tennis squad returned to pick up a pair of wins on Feb. 21, downing No. 17-ranked USC Aiken, 9-0, and No. 22-ranked Anderson (SC), 8-1.

The Pirates (6-0, 3-0 PBC) remained unbeaten on the young season by shutting out the Peach Belt Conference (PBC)-rival Pacers (3-3, 0-2 PBC) as well as knocking off the regional rival Trojans (2-1).

Against the Pacers, AASU swept all three doubles matches then won all six singles matches in straight sets.

AASU swept three doubles and won five of six singles matches in defeating the Trojans. Seventh-ranked Irdoja led the Pirates in singles with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Assuncao at No. 1 singles. Array notched a 6-2, 6-4 win over Murray at No. 2 singles while Mydla defeated Atema, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 3 singles.

John Karle became the first player to win a point from the Pirates this season by knocking off Victor Saez, 7-5, 7-6 (5) at No. 6 singles.

The top-ranked and two-time defending NCAA Division II national champion AASU women’s tennis team picked up a 9-0 PBC victory over visiting ASU at Bacon Park in Savannah.

The Lady Pirates (4-0, 3-0 PBC) extended its current winning streak to 65 consecutive PBC regular season matches, a string that dates back to 2003. No. 22-ranked ASU (2-1, 0-1 PBC) suffered its first loss of the 2010 season.

AASU dropped just two games in sweeping all three doubles matches to begin the afternoon.

The Lady Pirates won all six singles matches in straight sets. Fifth-ranked Muller-Wehlau defeated Ferreria, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 1 singles. 15th-ranked Kovacs shut out Lindqvist, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 2 singles, while 38th-ranked Ronel defeated Machado, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 3 singles.

Meanwhile, AASU ladies’ tennis team picked up a pair of 9-0 wins over USC Aiken and Anderson (SC) in Savannah.

The Lady Pirates (6-0, 4-0 PBC) stayed unbeaten on the young season, while handing USC Aiken (2-3, 0-2 PBC) its second straight PBC loss, as well as sending the Lady Trojans (1-3) to its third loss in its first four matches of 2010.

AASU dropped just six games while knocking off USC Aiken in the morning match.
In singles, top-ranked Novakova made her dual match singles debut with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Grenet at No. 1 singles.

In the afternoon match, the Lady Pirates again swept all three doubles matches and all six singles matches in straight sets against Anderson (SC).

Muller-Wehlau paced the Pirates in singles play with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Brunet at No. 1 singles. Ronel downed Gallegos, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 2 singles while Beckmann defeated Solorzano, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.