ANDERSON, S.C. - In a battle between two of the top teams in the South Atlantic Conference, the Anderson men's tennis team clinched at least the second seed in next month's league tournament with a 5-4 win past Wingate Wednesday afternoon at the Max Grubbs Memorial Courts.

Anderson (8-5, 8-1 SAC) wrapped up its league slate with its third consecutive victory, while 42-nd ranked Wingate slipped to 12-5 overall and 6-2 in the league.

The Trojans opened the match with three consecutive 8-3 victories on the doubles side, while Wingate sophomore Neal Towlson got the Bulldogs earned a default win at No. 2 singles to get Wingate on the board with a victory. Anderson senior Loic Ambroise defeated Wingate junior Ryan Forbes at the No. 4 singles flight to give AU a 4-1 lead.

Wingate freshmen Kennedy Cancelado and Sebastian Hall and sophomore Josh Eardley earned singles wins, as Cancelado blanked AU senior Daniel Gonzalez, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 1 singles. Both Hall and Eardley posted wins with third set tie-breakers. Hall rallied for a 3-6, 7-5, (10-8) win over Anderson junior Krystof Gulbinovic at No. 3, while Eardley defeated Trojan freshman Paul Calhoun, 6-2, 2-6, (10-8) in the number five singles match.

Anderson freshman Inaki Iriberry won the deciding match at No. 6 singles, outlasting Wingate freshman Westin Bennett, 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8) at the number six singles flight. Bennett led 8-7 in the tie-breaker, but Iriberry rallied to win the last three points and the match.

Anderson will wrap up its home schedule on Monday by playing host to Erskine. First-serve is slated for 3 p.m. at the Max Grubbs Courts.

Tennis Match Results
Wingate vs Anderson
Mar 27, 2013 at Anderson, S.C.
(Max Grubbs Memorial Courts)

Anderson 5, #42 Wingate 4
Singles competition
1. Kennedy Cancelado (WU) def. Daniel Gonzalez (AU-M) 6-0, 6-0
2. Neal Towlson (WU) def. Abdoulaye Camara (AU-M) 6-0, retired
3. Sebastian Hall (WU) def. Krystof Gulbinovic (AU-M) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Loic Ambroise (AU-M) def. Ryan Forbes (WU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Josh Eardley (WU) def. Paul Calhoun (AU-M) 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (10-8)
6. Inaki Iriberry (AU-M) def. Westin Bennett (WU) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8)
Doubles competition
1. Abdoulaye Camara/Jerome Branker (AU-M) def. Kennedy Cancelado/Ryan Forbes (WU) 8-3
2. Krystof Gulbinovic/Paul Calhoun (AU-M) def. Neal Towlson/Westin Bennett (WU) 8-3
3. Daniel Gonzalez/Inaki Iriberry (AU-M) def. Sebastian Hall/Josh Eardley (WU) 8-3
Match Notes:
Wingate 12-8 (6-2 SAC); National ranking #42
Anderson 8-5 (8-1 SAC)
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,4, 1, 3, 5, 6)