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April 4, 2007

Seeded sixth overall, Dayton men's tennis will begin its pursuit of an Atlantic 10 spring championship tomorrow morning. The tournament, which features a 13 team field, is in its 29th year of existence and will take place at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville, PA.

Looking to improve upon a fourth place finish in 2006, UD will be aiming to get back to the tournament's final round - a feat last accomplished by the Flyers in 2005. Lately its been looking like Dayton has an excellent chance to do just that. Winners of four in a row and owner's of an 11-10 overall record, the Flyers head to Monroeville with hot racquets and a little bit of swagger.

The tournament will open at 8 a.m. Thursday with UD facing Rhode Island in the first round. The Rams, an 11 seed, are 6-10 overall.

If Dayton advances past the first two rounds, there is the potential of a re-match with the second seeded Xavier Musketeers to determine which team heads to the finals. The Musketeers bested the Flyers 5-2 on February 20, but Dayton's play noticeably improved since that initial meeting.

The Dayton squad features a balanced singles line-up - four players reached double-digits in wins - and two all-conference performers looking to continue their fine spring seasons.

Senior co-captain Tom Murphy, a three-time all-conference pick, led the team with a 17-4 singles record and will anchor the team at first singles. Murphy, who has 24 wins overall this season, needs just one singles win to match his career high. He is backed up by junior James O'Connell, who sports an 18-11 record at the two spot. Senior Co-captain Rex Cabrera also finished the season in double figures at 10-7 and will be looked toward to provide some points at the fourth position in the order.

The other key to Flyer tournament success will be whether or not the under-classmen continue their recent improved play. While Murphy and O'Connell have been steady, it has been sophomore David Peyton and freshman Michael Rohana who have led the charge in UD's recent spring surge. Peyton ran off eight straight singles wins to finish 11-8 after starting the year 3-8, and Rohana shook off an early season slump to end his season 6-11 after starting off 1-9.

If it all comes together for the Flyers in the first round, the team will meet up with George Washington, the three seed, in a second match on Thursday. Dayton last met George Washington on February 17 at home, where the Flyers won a 4-3 decision.