GREENSBORO, NC – Arsel Kumdereli and Yaroslav Litus won a pair of three-set thrillers, but East Carolina's Bryan Oakley won a three-setter of his own to clinch a 4-3 win for the Pirates over UNC Greensboro in men's tennis action.
Kumdereli needed three tie-breakers to turn away Denis Ermilov, 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3). Litus had a first-set tie-breaker and battled back to win the third set for a 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 6-3 win over Henrik Skalmerud.
But Oakley topped Kyle Eddins at No. 6 singles in another three-setter and East Carolina won two other singles matches in straight sets and all three doubles matches to pick up the win. UNCG's Orcun Seyrek won the point at No. 1 singles, making quick work of Stephen Whitwell, 6-2 and 6-1.
UNCG (6-4) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts College of Charleston for a 12 noon match.
AGATE
#1 Singles Orcun Seyrek (UNCG) def. Stephen Whitwell 6-2,6-1
#2 Singles Jaroslav Horvath (ECU) def. Andrey Bubnov 6-4,7-6(5)
#3 Singles Arsel Kumdereli (UNCG) def. Denis Ermilov 7-6(3),6-7(4),7-6(3)
#4 Singles Yaroslav Litus (UNCG) def. Henrik Skalmerud 7-6(4),1-6,6-3
#5 Singles Aleksey Kochetov (ECU) def. William John 7-6(6),6-2
#6 Singles Bryan Oakley (ECU) def. Kyle Eddins 6-4,3-6,6-3
#1 Doubles Horvath/Ermilov (ECU) def. Kumdereli/ Seyrek 9-7
#2 Doubles Kochetov/Skalmerud (ECU) def. Bubnov/Litus 8-4
#3 Doubles Whitwell/Oakley (ECU) def. John/Wright 8-4