March 16, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 35th-ranked Purdue men's tennis team picked up an important win with a 4-3 decision against UNLV in Las Vegas today. The victory improves the Boilermakers to 8-1 this spring.
"The two stars of the day were Laith Al-Agba and Derek Myers," assistant coach Roger Follmer said. "Those two really stepped up big and were critical to us winning this match."
Purdue won the doubles point, as Myers and Cris James and Al-Agba and Jason Marshall paired off to claim victories. James and Myers, who comprised the 12th-ranked team in the nation two years ago, downed Damu Bobb and Nenad Zivkovic 8-5 at No. 1, while Al-Agba and Marshall defeated Danny Erez and Tyler Roberts 9-8 at No. 3. Al-Agba and Marshall were down 7-4 before rallying for the win.
"Laith carried Jason in doubles," Follmer said. "The leadership we got from him, along with Derek and Cris, really rubbed off on the rest of the guys. Winning that doubles point was crucial for the match."
Myers provided a singles win, as well, beating Zivkovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 2. Cade Lutz defeated Andy Madersracher 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 at No. 6, while James delivered the clinching victory with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 against Erez at No. 4.
Purdue will enjoy a few days off before it faces 52nd-ranked Arizona in Tucson on March 19.
Purdue 4, UNLV 3
SINGLES
1. Asaf Tishler (UNLV) def. Jason Marshall (PU) 7-5, 7-52. Derek Myers (PU) def. Nenad Zivkovic (UNLV) 6-4, 4-6, 6-33. Damu Bobb (UNLV) def. Jamie Gordon (PU) 6-3, 6-44. Cris James (PU) def. Danny Erez (UNLV) 6-3, 6-7, 6-45. Gregor Skorin (UNLV) def. Derek Miller (PU) 7-6, 7-56. Cade Lutz (PU) def. Andy Madersracher (UNLV) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2DOUBLES
1. James/Myers (PU) def. Bobb/Zivkovic (UNLV) 8-52. Tishler/Skorin (UNLV) def. Gordon/Dan Swan (PU) 8-63. Marshall/Laith Al-Agba (PU) def. Erez/Tyler Roberts (UNLV) 9-8