Men's Tennis Cruises by Depleted Charleston Southern Squad, 7-0 2/1/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The 27th-ranked Vanderbilt men's tennis team was handed a gift from opponent Charleston Southern even before the dual match began on Saturday afternoon at the Brownlee O. Currey Tennis Center.

The Big South Conference's defending champion had only four members of its squad present on Saturday, which meant the Mocs were forced to default two singles and one doubles match. The Commodores really wouldn't need the two free points, as they won the match handily, 7-0. With the win, Vanderbilt moves to 3-0 on the season, while Charleston Southern falls to 0-2.

The Commodores jumped out of the gates quickly, as they cruised in both doubles matches. Juniors Bobby Reynolds, who returned to the line-up after sitting out last weekend, and Lewie Smith cruised to an 8-3 victory over Santiago Falla and Rodrigo Villarroel. In the other doubles match, juniors Zach Dailey and Jens Pilgram-Larsen didn't have any problem either, as they won 8-1 over Olivier Zimmerman and Nathan Forster.

In singles action, Reynolds had no problems in his return, as he blew by Villarroel in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. Dailey, sophomore Scott Brown and Smith, who were playing at the No. 2, 3 and 4 positions, respectively, all won their singles matches in straight sets. The three players gave up only 13 games in six sets of action.

Head coach Ken Flach's squad will now hit the road for two important dual matches. The Commodores will first travel to take on No. 49-ranked Tulsa at 2 p.m. Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. Vanderbilt will then follow its match up on Saturday with its SEC opener against No. 32-ranked Arkansas at 12 p.m. Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Singles

Doubles