Men's Tennis Sweeps Bethune-Cookman

March 14, 2007

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Earning their second win in two days, the Marquette men's tennis team swept Bethune-Cookman today at the City Island Tennis Complex in Daytona Beach, Florida. With the win, the Golden Eagles improve to 8-5.

With a new lineup, Marquette had no problem getting the early doubles point. Stephen Shao and Niko Boulieris played no. 1 for the first time this season and defeated Thabani Sithole and Christian Cruz, 8-6. At the second position, Brett Binkley and Mark Rutherford took down Stefan James and Yannick Jackson, 8-3. Sophomore Eric Fleming stepped into the no. 3 spot teaming up with Pete Van Lieshout to beat Jerome Ward and Terry Powell, 8-2.

Using their momentum from doubles, the Golden Eagles dominated at all six positions in singles play. Fleming, who played only his second singles match of the season, shut out Edson Luiz Gomes in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

"We changed the lineup a little bit today in both singles and doubles," assistant coach Raj Gill said. "We were able to get some different match-ups and both Pete and Eric stepped in at singles and did well."

Marquette will stay in Daytona for one more day to take on Northern Illinois tomorrow at noon CT.

-COMPLETE RESULTS-

Singles

No. 1- Trent Hagan (MU) def. Thabani Sithole (BC) 6-2, 7-5
No. 2- Stephen Shao (MU) def. Christian Cruz (BC) 6-3, 6-2
No. 3- Brett Binkley (MU) def. Stefan James (BC) 6-1, 6-2
No. 4- Niko Boulieris (MU) def. Jerome Ward (BC) 6-4, 6-1
No. 5- Pete Van Lieshout (MU) def. Yannick Jackson (BC) 6-3, 6-2
No. 6- Eric Fleming (MU) def. Edson Luiz Gomes (BC) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

No. 1- Boulieris/Shao (MU) def. Sithole/Cruz (BC) 8-6
No. 2- Binkley/Rutherford (MU) def. James/Jackson (BC) 8-3
No. 3- Fleming/Van Lieshout (MU) def. Ward/Powell (BC) 8-2