BURLINGTON, N.C. -- In its 2009 Southern Conference Tournament debut, the second-seeded Elon Phoenix fought off an upset-minded Appalachian State Mountaineer squad, the number seven seed, for a 4-2 victory in men's tennis action from the Burlington Tennis Center. The Phoenix will now advance to a 2 p.m. semi-final match with sixth-seeded College of Charleston from the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.
The 67th-ranked Phoenix (20-5) picked up doubles wins at numbers one and two to earn the match's first point.
Elon extended its advantage to 2-0 when Podlewski defeated Constance 6-2, 6-2 at number two singles. The lead stretched to 3-0 after Gooch, ranked 82nd in the country, soared past Lake 6-3, 6-2 at number one.
ASU posted the next two points, however, with wins from Jacobs and Kloc at numbers three and five, respectively. Jacobs defeated Nemec 6-4, 6-3 while Kloc handed Rojas a 6-3, 6-4 decision.
The deciding match saw Elon's Helpingstine forge a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Floyd at number four.
Stauffer MacDowell was up a set at number six at 6-4, 4-4 over Humblet when the match ended.
-- ELON --