Clemson Defeats Gardner-Webb and Davidson in Men’s Tennis Season Opener

Jan. 16, 2010

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson defeated Gardner-Webb 7-0, and Davidson 5-2 in a men’s tennis doubleheader at Clemson, SC Saturday.

It was the season opener for all three teams. The Tigers are ranked 66th according to the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll.

Derek DiFazio won at number one singles in both matches. He defeated Evgeny Slesarez of Gardner Webb 7-5, 6-4. In the second match, DiFazio defeated Eric Noble of Davidson 6-1, 6-4.

In the Davidson match, the Tigers took a 3-0 lead. However the Wildcats came back and won at number three and four singles. Joe Schafer defeated Gera Boryachinskiy 6-4, 6-4 at number three singles and Chris Mark defeated the Tigers’ Robert Pietrucha at number four singles 6-3, 6-3, to make the team score 3-2.

Kevin Galloway clinched the match for the Tigers as he won over Calum Gee of Davidson 7-5, 6-0 at number five singles. Clemson freshman Juan Bolona defeated Kevin Moore at number six singles 6-4, 6-4 to make the team score 5-2 in Clemson’s favor.

In the Gardner-Webb match, Clemson won all six singles matches and won the doubles point on the way to the 7-0 victory over the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

Overall in singles, DiFazio, Rok Bizjak, Galloway, and Bolona all won both of their singles matches against Gardner-Webb and Davidson.

The Clemson-Davidson series is one of the oldest for the Tigers. The two schools begin playing in 1923. The Wildcats leads the series 5-3. Including today’s match, the Tigers have won three matches in a row over Davidson in the series. The Wildcats won in 1923, 1925, twice in 1929 and once in 1946. Clemson won in 1966, 1967, and today.

The 2010 season marks the 100th year of men’s tennis at Tigertown. Clemson first sponsored men’s tennis in 1910 when two Tiger tennis players entered the annual state tournament.

“This was a great start to our season,” said Clemson Head Coach Chuck McCuen. “I was very anxious to start today and I think our team responded very well. As one of our players said, all of the hard work in the fall is paying off. I think that we are a very disciplined team, and we showed some mental toughness today. I was very proud of the way we played and this is a good start.”

“Overall I think we played well,” said Derek DiFazio. “I think we worked hard and played well this fall, and we carried this momentum over to today. We are happy with the start and getting the wins today. We will have to keep working hard.”

Clemson will play host to USC Upstate and Presbyterian on Saturday, February 6, in the Tigers’ next action.