Jan. 27, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's tennis team (1-0) swept the three doubles matches, then claimed five of the six singles matches en route a season-opening 6-1 win over Samford at The Racquet Club of Memphis, Friday.

"We got off to a great start by winning the doubles point," Head Coach Paul Goebel said. "Our top four singles guys then got us going and helped us beat a very good Samford team that went 8-0 in the Ohio Valley last year and which are probably favored to win it again this year."

Memphis picked up wins at No. 1 and 3 doubles to clinch the doubles point behind an 8-3 win from James Spence and Sam Withell at No. 1 doubles, while Matt Brewer and Bryan Bankester clinched the point with an 8-6 win at No. 3. To sweep the doubles, Michael Jetter and Garrison Pilant, who were up 8-7 when the doubles point was decided, won the tiebreaker to close out the doubles play.

In singles, Memphis claimed three-set wins at the top two spots, with Jetter splitting his first two sets 6-2, 2-6, before winning the third 6-1 over Stuart Misner. Matt Brewer won his first set 6-1, then dropped the second set, 6-2, to Renan Silvereira. Brewer grabbed the win with a 6-3 third set win.

Three other Tigers picked up wins, including James Spence over hank Grant, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 3 singles, Sam Withell over Manuel Miletic, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4 and Tezar Putra, 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-2 over Brian Dushock in Putra's first-ever match in a Tiger uniform.

In an exhibition match, Vinicius Craeriro downed Jason Thomas, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

Memphis 6, Samford 1
Singles
No. 1 - Michael Jetter (UM) def. Stuart Misner, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
No. 2 - Matt Brewer (UM) def. Renan Silvereira, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
No. 3 - James Spence (UM) def. Hank Grant, 6-2, 6-1
No. 4 - Sam Withell (UM) def. Manuel Miletic, 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 - Johnny Griffee def. Bryan Bankester (UM), 6-4, 6-3
No. 6 - Tezar Putra (UM) def. Brian Dushock, 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-3
No. 7 (exhibition) - Vinicius Craeiro (UM) def. Jason Thomas, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
Doubles
No. 1 - Spence/Withell (UM) def. Misner/Grant (SAM), 8-3
No. 2 - Jetter/Pilant (UM) def. Bryce/Griffee (SAM) 8-7 (1)
No. 3 - Brewer/Bankester (UM) def. Silveira/Dushock, 8-6