Sumter, S.C. – The fifth-seeded Anderson University men's tennis upset fourth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne to advance to the South Atlantic Conference semifinals. The Trojans defeated the Bears, 4-2, on Thursday afternoon at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C.
Lenoir-Rhyne jumped ahead 1-0 after the doubles portion. Anderson fought back winning No. 2 Adam Kush, No. 3 Thomas Pudney, and No. 4 Aaron Cabo in straight sets. The Bears Joel Hemmings outlasted AU's Smalley to set the opportunity for senior Juan Cruz Moncado to put the match away.
Juan Cruz Moncado defeated Rhodri Atkinson 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Atkinson defeated Moncado earlier in the season, however Moncado was able to avenge his loss by beating the recently named SAC Player of the Year.
The Black and Gold are scheduled to play the top-seeded Bulldogs of Wingate. First-serve is slated for 12 pm.
Anderson 4 Lenoir-Rhyne 2
Singles competition
1. Juan Cruz Moncado (AU) def. Rhodri Atkinson (LRUM) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
2. Adam Kush (AU) def. Josh Lazenby (LRUM) 6-4, 6-3
3. Thomas Pudney (AU) def. Patrik Alvestrand (LRUM) 6-2, 6-3
4. Aaron Cabo (AU) def. Lewis Scott (LRUM) 6-3, 6-2
5. Spencer Snow (AU) vs. Mauricio Hernandez (LRUM) no result
6. Joel Hemmings (LRUM) def. Tommy Smalley (AU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #10 Rhodri Atkinson/Josh Lazenby (LRUM) def. Juan Cruz Moncado/Thomas Pudney (AU) 6-0
2. Aaron Cabo/Jeffrey Dayton (AU) vs. Lewis Scott/Patrik Alvestrand (LRUM) no result
3. Mauricio Hernandez/Joel Hemmings (LRUM) def. Adam Kush/Tommy Smalley (AU) 6-2
Match Notes:
Anderson University 9-6, 9-3 SAC; Regional ranking #9
Lenoir-Rhyne 10-3, 8-3 SAC; Regional ranking #10
