HARRISONBURG, Va. (March 5, 2011) – The Saint Francis University men's tennis team continued its tour of tough non-conference venues on Saturday when it visited James Madison University. The Dukes, however, proved too much for the Red Flash, handing them a 7-0 setback at Hillside Courts.

Playing their first outdoor match since October, the Flash made doubles play interesting, but were unable to capture a point. Elahn Pogue (St. Catherines, Ontario/West Park) and Nathaniel Fleming played the closest set in doubles but saw their recent hot streak come to an end with an 8-6 setback.

“I was excited to see my men play solid doubles. There were a lot of service breaks and points being closed at the net,” said head coach Paul Tobin. “We still struggle holding serve in the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. This experience will help our confidence going into conference matches in a couple of weeks.”

Singles play didn't get off to a good start for SFU, with Pogue going down with an injury during the first set. Although JMU would go on to sweep singles competition, Tobin saw promise in a few of his racquets.

“I was very impressed with the top half of our lineup,” said Tobin. “Both Nate Fleming (Gas City, Ind./Missossonewa) and Steve Kowalski executed shots well and managed to pick up tight scores. Both players struggle with closing out the important points but are gaining ground.”

“Our bottom half continues to have problems going up against these top teams.”

The Flash men return to action on Saturday when they visit Coppin State.


James Madison 7, Saint Francis 0
Singles
1. Greg Vladimirsky (JMU) def. Elahn Pogue (St. Catherines, Ontario/West Park) (SFU) 2-1, ret
2. Bertrand Moulin (JMU) def. Nathaniel Fleming (SFU) 6-4, 6-1
3. Florent Sentenac (JMU) def. Stephen Kowalski (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) (SFU) 7-5, 6-4
4. Ryan Pool (JMU) def. Andres Rosa (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Colegio la Piedad) (SFU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Tommi Nissinen (JMU) def. Youlian Natchev (Sofia, Bulgaria/Rovel College) (SFU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Jovan Milic (JMU) def. Kirby Mendes (Unionville, Ontario/Niagara Academy of Tennis) (SFU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Matt King/Bertrand Moulin (JMU) def. Elahn Pogue (St. Catherines, Ontario/West Park)/Nathaniel Fleming (SFU) 8-6
2. Ryan Pool/Greg Vladimirsky (JMU) def. Andres Rosa (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Colegio la Piedad)/Stephen Kowalski (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) (SFU) 8-4
3. Florent Sentenac/Yaroslav Voznenko (JMU) def. Youlian Natchev (Sofia, Bulgaria/Rovel College)/Kirby Mendes (Unionville, Ontario/Niagara Academy of Tennis) (SFU) 8-5