(Boiling Springs, N.C.) ? The Stetson men's tennis team continued to roll with a 5-2 win at Gardner-Webb Monday afternoon.  The victory wrapped up regular season conference play for Stetson (16-6, 6-2 A-Sun). 

“I am very proud of the guys,” head coach Pierre Pilote said.  “This was another difficult match on the road.  It was very emotional on the courts in front of a partisan crowd.”

Freshman Hicham Laalej stayed unbeaten at No. 1 singles, while Marcus Echtler picked up a win at the No. 2 position.  Laalej is 19-3 overall and 10-0 when playing as Stetson's No. 1.  It was Echtler's first conference singles victory.

“We had great wins from Hicham and Marcus,” Pilote said.  “It was a good overall performance.  I know the team is enjoying the competition and the road is much tougher than at home.” 

Gardner-Webb (9-12, 4-4 A-Sun) took the doubles point but Stetson rebounded to take five of the six singles matches. 

Overall, the red-hot Hatters have won 16 of the last 18 contests.

"To win 16 of 18 with the schedule we've had is outstanding," Pilote said.  "I could not be prouder of the team."

The Hatters have two more non-conference matches at home before traveling to East Tennesee State for the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship April 20-22.  Stetson was the runner-up in last year's tournament. 

“With all the injuries we have had, a 6-2 record in the conference is very positive,” Pilote said. “We also finished 7-4 on the road with a very challenging schedule.  Those matches are good preparation for the upcoming tournament.”

Results

Stetson University vs Gardner-Webb University

Apr 02, 2007 at

Stetson University 5, Gardner-Webb University 2

 Singles competition

1. LAALEJ, Hicham (STET) def. SLESAREV, Evgeny (GWU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

2. ECHTLER, Marcus (STET) def. VASQUES, Roberto (GWU) 6-2, 6-4

3. KRICKA, Filip (STET) def. ELLIS, Kim (GWU) 6-2, 6-1

4. BOULANOV, Serguei (STET) def. VAN RENSBURG, Grant (GWU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4

5. JONES, Joey (STET) def. ALTMEYER, Rafael (GWU) 6-0, 6-3

6. FERRIER, Taylor (GWU) def. STAMP, Daniel (STET) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2

 Doubles competition

1. SLESAREV, Evgeny/VEIGA, Gabe (GWU) def. ECHTLER, Marcus/KRICKA, Filip (STET) 8-5

2. JONES, Joey/BOULANOV, Serguei (STET) def. ELLIS, Kim/FERRIER, Taylor (GWU) 8-3

3. VAN RENSBURG, Grant/VASQUES, Roberto (GWU) def. STAMP, Daniel/DZUBA, Peter (STET) 8-4

Match Notes:

GWU: 9-12, 4-4 A-Sun

Stetson: 16-6, 6-2 A-Sun

Order of Finish: 3, 5, 2, 6, 1, 4