Jan. 26, 2007

The Eastern Washington University men's tennis team won its first match of the year, improving to 1-2 on the season, and head into its first Big Sky Conference contest of the year on a winning note. The Eagles defeated Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday (Jan. 26), 6-1, and will take on Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. PT on Saturday. That match will not only be Northern Colorado's first one of the season, but will be its initial one in Big Sky history.

The Eagles claimed the doubles point in dramatic fashion, claiming two of the three matches in tiebreakers. Eastern's No. 1 duo of Pannhara Mam and Kyle Schraeder topped Robby Alexander and Ryan White, 9-8 (8-6) and, on the third court, Patrick Millican and John Davis defeated Keith Cronican and James Tomlin, 9-8 (8-5). The Eagle No. 2 team of Art Karas and Daniel Pez fell to Brett Rodgers and Mike Youn, 8-5.

With the momentum of having earned the doubles point, the Eagles kept its play going at a high level, winning 5-of-6 singles matches to defeat the Falcons going away.

Mam won at No. 1 over Alexander, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), while Schraeder defeated Rodgers on the second court, 6-4, 6-1.

Millican won at No. 4 against Cronican, 6-3, 6-1, Gregg defeated White on court five, 4-6, 7-5, (10-6), and Karas was a winner over Kyle Epperson, 8-3. Pez fell in his contest at No. 3 by tight 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, (10-8) scores.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Washington at Air Force

Eastern Washington 6, Air Force 1

Jan. 26, 2007, at Colorado Springs, Colo.

Singles competition

1. Pannhara Mam (EWU) def. Robby Alexander (AFA), 6-4, 7-6 (3)

2. Kyle Schraeder (EWU) def. Brett Rodgers (AFA), 6-4, 6-1

3. Mike Youn (AFA) def. Daniel Pez (EWU), 7-6 (3), 4-6, (10-8)

4. Patrick Millican (EWU) def. Keith Cronican (AFA), 6-3, 6-1

5. Keithan Gregg (EWU) def. Ryan White (AFA), 4-6, 7-5, (10-6)

6. Art Karas (EWU) def. Kyle Epperson (AFA), 8-3

Doubles competition

1. Pannhara Mam/Kyle Schrader (EWU) def. Robby Alexander/Ryan White (AFA), 9-8 (6)

2. Brett Rodgers/Mike Youn (AFA) def. Daniel Pez/Art Karas (EWU), 8-5

3. Patrick Millican/Jonathan Davis (EWU) def. Keith Cronican/James Tomlin (AFA), 9-8 (5)

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (4,2,1,3,6,5)