MARTIN, MYRICK WIN SINGLES MATCHES

Aggie seniors Damon Martin and Porter Myrick put together a solid day against Coastal Carolina, recording wins in singles play, as the Aggies lost 5-2 to the Chanticleers on a cold and rainy day at the Aggie Tennis Complex. The Aggies fell to 6-13 overall on the season.

 Martin recovered from a slow start to defeat David Mellis, 1-6, 6-2, 10-6, at No. 1 singles. “It was hard enough to come with the right attitude when the [weather] conditions aren’t great,” said Martin, who improved his singles match record to 10-6. “I didn’t start out well, and looked at a loss today, but fortunately, I was able to loosen up and play my game.”

 Myrick fought off a late charge in No. 4 singles from Andy Caress to win in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6. “I switched racquets today and that helped me do some things with the ball that I wasn’t able to do earlier,” he said. “Today it was time for something new, and that worked to my advantage.”

 Prior to singles play, Myrick and Martin teamed up to win at No. 3 doubles, 8-3 for their 10th victory on the season in doubles. Coastal Carolina had clinched the doubles point, but the victory set the tone for the Aggies in singles play. “Winning the doubles match gave us the confidence we needed to fight and be competitive in singles,” Martin said. “Everybody has a role to play as we move forward in this race for the [MEAC] title. I know that we didn’t win today, but I’m still pleased that everybody played well and gave great effort.”

Elliot Quibell and Richard Redding led the Chanticleers, teaming up to win matches at No. 1 doubles over Vitas Hawley and Londell Hartfield in a close match, 8-6. Caress and Simon Taylor clinched the doubles point for CCU with a 9-8 victory over Jeremy Martin and Jared Martin at No. 2 doubles.

Quibell defeated Vitas Hawley at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-1, while Redding beat Quincy Hawley, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 5 singles. The Chanticleers clinched the dual match victory when Simon Taylor defeated Jeremy Martin at No. 3 singles, 6-1, 6-3.

“This is what I want to see from the [team],” said Aggies coach James Dunwoody. “Even though no one is happy with the loss, today showed that our seniors are mentally tough enough to win. We just have to spread that around to our other players. We will need that when we see S.C. State, Hampton, Florida A&M, Norfolk State and those other teams in the conference. It’s just a matter of practicing and getting better each match. If we played like we played today, we will be in great shape for Campbell and for [the MEAC].”

The Aggies will host Campbell Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Aggie Tennis Complex in a match that was rescheduled from March 21 due to rain.  

 

N.C. A&T Tennis Results

Mar. 24, 2006
Coastal Carolina 5, Aggies 2
Singles

  1. Damon Martin (NCAT) defeated David Mellis (CCU), 1-6, 6-2, 10-6
  2. Elliot Quibell (CCU) defeated Vitas Hawley (NCAT), 6-2, 6-1
  3. Simon Taylor (CCU) defeated Jeremy Martin (NCAT), 6-1, 6-3
  4. Porter Myrick (NCAT) defeated Andy Caress (CCU), 6-3, 7-6
  5. Richard Redding (CCU) defeated Quincy Hawley (NCAT), 6-3, 6-3
  6. Brian Dowis (CCU) defeated Jared Martin (NCAT), 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
1. Elliot Quibell / Richard Redding (CCU) defeated Vitas Hawley / Londell Hartsfield (NCAT), 8-6
2. Andy Caress / Simon Taylor (CCU) defeated Jeremy Martin / Jared Martin (NCAT), 9-8
3. Porter Myrick / Damon Martin (NCAT) defeated David Mellis / Ryan Weisband (CCU), 8-3.