March 4, 2006
Monarchs knock off 30th-ranked Johns Hopkins 5-2
Criscoe wins regionally-ranked showdown in singles as Methodist improves to 5-2

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Defeating nationally-ranked teams was a key for the Methodist Monarch men’s tennis team in terms of a possible NCAA Division III National Tournament bid. On Saturday, the Monarchs took that step with a thrilling 5-2 victory over 30th-ranked Johns Hopkins at the Monarch Courts.

Methodist has now won four straight to improve to 5-2 overall.

The headlining match was at No. 1 singles where Methodist’s Keith Criscoe, ranked 12th in the Division III Atlantic South Region, battled 17th-ranked Joe Vasoontara from Johns Hopkins. The match went to Criscoe as he defeated Vasoontara 6-4, 6-1. In addition to Criscoe, Chris Fletcher won at No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Rafi Roberti, while David Hardy won a 7-5, 6-1 decision over Kevin Ma at No. 4.

Perhaps the most thrilling match for the Monarchs was at No. 5, where Sam Miller won a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Johns Hopkins’ Larry Wei. Methodist swept the three doubles matches for the doubles point.

Methodist is off until Mar. 17 when it plays host to Dickerson at Monarch Courts.

Methodist 5, Johns Hopkins 2
Singles:
1. Keith Criscoe (M) d. Joe Vasoontara 6-4, 6-1
2. Chris Fletcher (M) d. Rafi Roberti 6-1, 6-1
3. Hillen Smith (JH) d. Mike Layton 6-1, 6-0
4. David Hardy (M) d. Kevin Ma 7-5, 6-1
5. Sam Miller (M) d. Larry Wei 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
6. Matt Naftilan (JH) d. Matt Siegel 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Doubles:
1. Criscoe/Fletcher (M) d. Vasoontara/Smith 8-3
2. Hardy/Miller (M) d. Roberti/Nick Kennedy 8-6
3. Layton/Siegel (M) d. Naftilan/Wei 8-4