Shepherd University Athletics

SALEM INTERNATIONAL SHOCKS SHEPHERD TO CLAIM WVIAC MEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP

(Courtesy of WVIAC Office)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- 52 was the magic number for the Salem International men's tennis team on Saturday. The Tigers downed top-seeded Shepherd 5-3 at the Charleston Tennis Center to earn their first WVIAC Tournament title in 52 seasons. SIU's upset victory also ended a 52-match win streak against WVIAC opponents for Shepherd.

Salem International claimed a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Kim Kanginnadhi and Sladjan Radic took an 8-6 victory against Casey Moser and David Seifarth at #1 doubles. Shepherd won #2 doubles as Arthur Ebeling paired with Eric Stevenson for an 8-2 triumph over Relja Radic and David Ogedegbe. The third pairing went to Salem International by a close 8-6 count after Bogdan Matei and Guillermo Tolaba downed Andy Bosco and Scott Hasenei.

The Tigers clinched the match when Kanginnadi defeated Moser, the WVIAC Player of the Year, 6-2, 6-2 at #1 singles. Matei and Sladjan Radic also tallied points for SIU as the Tigers swept the top three singles matches. Stevenson claimed #4 singles for the Rams and Hasenei added a point after winning at the sixth spot.

The victory gives third seeded Salem International an automatic bid into the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Tournament.

SALEM INTERNATIONAL 5, SHEPHERD 3

Doubles

#1 Kanginnadhi/S. Radic (SIU) d. Moser/Seifarth (SU) 8-6

#2 Ebeling/Stevenson (SU) d. R. Radic/Ogedegbe (SIU) 8-2

#3 Matei/Tolaba (SIU) d. Bosco/Hasenei (SU) 8-6

Singles

#1 Kanginnadhi (SIU) d. Moser (SU) 6-2, 6-2

#2 Matei (SIU) d. Seifarth (SU) 6-2, 6-3

#3 S. Radic (SIU) d. Ebeling (SU) 6-2, 6-3

#4 Stevenson (SU) d. R. Radic (SIU) 6-2, 6-1

#5 Bosco (SU) vs. Tolaba (SIU) dnf

#6 Hasenei (SU) d. Ogedegbe (SIU) 6-2, 6-2

2006 WVIAC Men's Tennis Tournament

April 20-22

Charleston, West Virginia (nine teams, single-elimination)

First Round---Thursday, April 20:

Match #1: #9 West Virginia State 5, #8 Fairmont State 2

Quarterfinals---Friday, April 21:

Match #2: #1 Shepherd 5, #9 West Virginia State 0

Match #3: #4 West Virginia Wesleyan 5, #5 Charleston 2

Match #4: #2 West Liberty State 5 #7 Bluefield State 1

Match #5: #3 Salem International 5, #6 Concord 0

Semifinals---Friday, April 21:

Match #6: Shepherd 5, West Virginia Wesleyan 2

Match #7: Salem International 5, West Liberty State 4

Championship---Saturday, April 22:

Match #8: Salem International 5, Shepherd 3