NEWBERRY, S.C. - Newberry clinched a spot in the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament with a 7-2 victory over the visiting Brevard Tornados in what was a do-or-die match for the Wolves at the Cannon Tennis Courts.

Newberry (13-11, 4-5 SAC) dominated the Tornados (7-15, 1-8 SAC) in doubles play opening the match with an 8-1 win at No. 3 by freshman Carlos Nicolopulos (Valencia, Venezuela) and junior Cal Loveridge (Derby, Derbyshire, England). The Wolves second point came at No. 2 where sophomores David Sons (Lexington, S.C.) and Mohammed Chakir (Rabat, Morocco) cruised to an 8-2 victory.

The toughest doubles match for the Wolves was at No. 1 where Brevard's Sam MacNeil and Beau Wills were undefeated in conference action. The Tornados top duo fought hard against the Wolves, but Newberry sophomores Vinicius Botelho (Fortaleza, Brazil) and Michael Saunders (Christchurch, New Zealand) earned a tight 8-5 victory.

After dropping a match at No. 1 singles, the Wolves' first singles point came at No. 3 where Chakir cruised to a straight sets victory over Rory Northam. The Wolves suffered a second loss at No. 2, but at No. 4 it was Loveridge who clinched the Wolves' berth to the SAC Tournament with a straight sets victory, which included a 7-1 second set tiebreak victory.

Nicolopulos and Sons both picked up victories in straight sets at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

The Wolves next see action in the Food Lion SAC Championships beginning April 19 in Rock Hill, S.C. Check NewberryWolves.com for information on opponents and match times.

Newberry 7, Brevard 2
Apr 13, 2012
Newberry, S.C.
Cannon Tennis Courts

Singles competition
1. Sam MacNeil (BCM) def. Michael Saunders (NEWM) 6-2, 6-1
2. Beau Wills (BCM) def. Vinicius Botelho (NEWM) 7-5, 7-6 (4-0)
3. Mohammed Chakir (NEWM) def. Rory Northam (BCM) 6-2, 6-4
4. Cal Loveridge (NEWM) def. Stefano Giovanolli (BCM) 6-3, 7-6 (7-1)
5. Carlos Nicolopulos (NEWM) def. George Finch (BCM) 6-4, 6-3
6. David Sons (NEWM) def. Rob Havens (BCM) 7-5, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Michael Saunders/Vinicius Botelho (NEWM) def. Sam MacNeil/Beau Wills (BCM) 8-5
2. David Sons/Mohammed Chakir (NEWM) def. Rory Northam/Jonathon Lavelle (BCM) 8-2
3. Carlos Nicolopulos/Cal Loveridge (NEWM) def. Stefano Giovanolli/George Finch (BCM) 8-1

Match Notes
Brevard 7-15, 1-8 SAC
Newberry 13-11, 4-5 SAC
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,3,2,4,5,6)