March 9, 2003

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The No. 53 ranked University of Memphis men's tennis team booked its first road win of the season over a nationally-ranked team with a 4-3 win at William and Mary, Sunday. The loss drops the Tribe's record to 8-5 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 4-4.

W&M began by winning the doubles point, led by sophomore Sean Kelleher and freshman Stephen Ward at No. 1, who upset the 20th-ranked team of Ben Stapp and Lee Taylor Walker, 8-6. Sophomores Jeff Kader and Zack Malmgren won the third match over Alex Jago/Brendan Malarkey, 8-6.

But the Tigers battled back with four singles victories. Seniors Joe Schmulian and Ben Stapp each posted straight set wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, to tie the match a 2-2, and when Brendan Malarkey and Alex Bucewicz added their straight-set victories, the Tigers secured their first road win of the season against a nationally-ranked opponent.

Memphis will continue its spring break road trip with a Monday match at Old Dominion.

#53 Memphis 4, #47 William and Mary 3
Doubles
1. Kelleher/Ward def. #20 Stapp/Walker (UM); 8-6
2. Bucewicz/Schmulian (UM) def. Fish/Russell; 8-2
3. Kader/Zack Malmgren def. Jago/Malarkey (UM); 8-6

Singles
1. Alex Fish def. Lee Taylor Walker (UM); 6-2, 6-4
2. Joe Schmulian (UM) def. Sean Kelleher; 6-2, 6-3
3. Ben Stapp (UM) def. Jeff Kader; 6-3, 6-4
4. Alex Bucewicz (UM) def. Geoff Russell; 6-4, 7-5
5. Stephen Ward def. Alex Jago (UM); 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
6. Brendan Malarkey (UM) d. Joe Brooks; 6-3, 6-2