RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team began the 2008 season with a pair of wins Saturday in the Greg Adams Tennis Center. The Colonels opened with a 7-0 triumph over the University of the Cumberlands before downing Dayton by a 7-0 count in the evening match.

Eastern Kentucky won all six singles matches against the Cumberlands in straight sets. Freshman Alex Das won the No. 1 match without dropping a game. Against Dayton, senior Lars Gratzki (No. 2) was pushed to a third set by Matt Sherman, but responded with a 6-1 win in the decisive set.

“I was certainly happy with everyone’s focus on the court today,” head coach Rob Oertel said. “Winning our opening two matches in convincing fashion is a great way to start the year.”

Eastern Kentucky is back in action on Friday, Jan. 25 at Indiana.

Eastern Kentucky 7, Cumberlands 0

Singles
1. Alex Das (EKU) d. Oscar Panteja (CUMB) 6-0, 6-0
2. Mel Segota (EKU) d. David Fei (CUMB) 6-3, 6-2
3. Johannes John (EKU) d. Aaron Ngiam (CUMB) 6-0, 6-0
4. Vadzim Ivanis (EKU) d. Chris Bright (CUMB) 6-0, 6-0
5. Fred Goncalves (EKU) d. Andrew Hill (CUMB) 6-1, 6-0
6. Francisco Fontoura (EKU) d. Stefan Crowe (CUMB) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
1. Gratzki/John (EKU) d. Fei/Panteja (CUMB) 8-6
2. Das/Fontoura (EKU) d. Hill/Ngiam (CUMB) 8-1
3. Ivanis/Segota (EKU) d. Bright/Crowe (CUMB) 8-0

Eastern Kentucky 7, Dayton 0

Singles
1. Alex Das (EKU) d. Michael Rohana (UD) 6-1, 6-1
2. Lars Gratzki (EKU) d. Matt Sherman (UD) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
3. Mel Segota (EKU) d. James O’Connell (UD) 6-2, 6-0
4. Johannes John (EKU) d. David Peyton (UD) 6-1, 6-0
5. Vadzim Ivanis (EKU) d. Antonio Rodriguez (UD) 6-1, 6-3
6. Fred Goncalves (EKU) d. Michael Koscielski (UD) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles
1. Gratzki/John (EKU) d. Peyton/Rohana (UD) 8-4
2. Das/Goncalves (EKU) d. O’Connell/Sherman (UD) 9-7
3. Ivanis/Segota (EKU) d. Koscielski/Rodriguez (UD) 8-5