Senior Ryan Brookshaw played his final match in the Black and Gold on Saturday morning. (Photo: ASU Athletics) Game statistics

Men's Tennis Falls to No. 67 Furman in SoCon Semifinals
by Appalachian Sports Information

April 19 - CHARLESTON, S.C.- Despite a very solid performance, the Appalachian State men's tennis team could not quite overcome an early deficit, as nationally ranked Furman defeated the Mountaineers 4-0 on Saturday morning. With the loss, Appalachian ends its 2008 campaign with a 13-10 record overall. The Paladins, who hold the No. 1 seed improve their record to 15-10, with an undefeated SoCon mark.

The Mountaineers had very strong showings in doubles action, but fell just short to their competition.

At the No. 1 doubles spot, the duo of Bobby Lake and Trent Constance battled back and forth between the Southern Conference's Men's Tennis Player of the Year, Andy Juc and his partner Chris Motes, but could not pull out the win as they narrowly lost 8-6.

Lee Floyd and Peter Jacobs faced stiff competition as well, in Bo Ladyman and Jordan Walters, who garnered SoCon First Team All-Conference awards earlier in the week. The duo proved to be too much for Floyd and Jacobs as they lost in a close match falling 8-5.

The tandem of Ryan Brookshaw and David Doverspike rallied to try and win at least one doubles match for ASU, despite the point already being decided, but ended up losing 8-7.

The Paladins took the 1-0 lead into singles action, and never looked back as no Mountaineers were able to grab wins over their opponents.

At the No. 1 spot, Lake faced Juc again, and was defeated in two sets, falling 6-0 and 6-1.

Brookshaw also fell to his competition at the No. 3 spots, as he lost in two sets, 6-2 and 6-1.

The Apps were down 3-0, needing one Mountaineer to win to keep the match alive.

Unfortunately for Appalachian, Doverspike could not hold off a pesky Sawyer Duncan at the No. 6 position, and lost in two sets 6-3 and 6-1.

Constance's, Jacob's and Floyd's respective matches were not finished, due to the final outcome of the match already being decided.

ASU caps off a very successful record, including a 13-10 mark on the season, a fourth place seed in the SoCon tournament and its first trip to the conference semifinals since 2004.

The Apps will graduate lone senior Ryan Brookshaw while returning five of its six starters.