The Bearcats used a well-balanced effort in their home finale to defeat Thomas More College 7-2 at the Greensburg Racquet Club. 

Saint Vincent got off to a strong part in doubles play, sweeping all three matches.  In the #1 spot, the senior duo of Zac Parkhill/Steve Filipiak picked up an 8-3 win, while the #2 tandem of Dan Chirdon/Troy Smith extended their doubles winning streak to three with an 8-5 victory.  In the #3 spot, Paul DiVincenzo and Chad Meholic teamed up for an 8-3 victory, giving SVC a 3-0 advantage heading into singles play.

Bearcat head coach Enrico Campi was pleased with his doubles play, saying "I was really impressed with our doubles today.  All three teams started and finished strong.  I'm proud of the growth in our doubles play throughout this year."

In #1 singles, Smith, playing in his last home collegiate tennis match at the Greensburg Racquet Club, started off strong, taking the first set 6-1.  After falling behind 4-1 in the second set, Smith then went on a tear, battling back for the 6-4 win.

"Troy really surprised me today," Campi said.  "His match could have easily went into a third set after he fell behind 4-1.  It's not easy to fight back like that in the #1 spot, but Troy held his own and was a comeback kid."

Chirdon battled in the #2 singles match before falling in three sets.  He dropped the opener 3-6, but came back to even the match with a 6-2 victory in the second set.  The third set went to a 10-point super tie-breaker, and after starting strong, Chirdon was eventually defeated 10-5.

"Dan played extremely well today," Campi said.  "You win some, and you lose some.  I am looking forward to having him back next year, and I believe that he will become a very, very successful collegiate player at Saint Vincent."

The #3 singles match was another marathon, as Parkhill opened with a 7-5 victory.  He dropped the second set 4-6, and the third set again went to a super tie-breaker.  The two players battled to a 6-6 tie, before Parkhill's opponent won the final four points for the 10-6 win.

"This was the best match of the night, hands down," said Campi. "Zac played very smart and had a number of impressive volleys, but fell just a little short."

In the #4 singles, Divincenzo wasted little time in picking up the two set win, 6-2 and 6-0.  "Paul came to play tonight," Campi said.  "His volleys and drop shots were right on."

In #5 singles, Filipiak began impressively, winning the first set 6-1.  He and his opponent battled back-and-forth in the second set, going game for game before Filipiak closed it out with a 6-4 win in the second set. 

"Steve is a very strong player at the five spot," Campi said, "arguably one of the best fives in the conference."

Tyler Camaione closed out the night in fine fashion for the Bearcats, posting a quick 6-1, 6-2 victory in #6 singles.  "Tyler has a huge serve," Campi said.  "I told him that if he could be consistent with it, he would be golden, and tonight he was."

With the win, SVC evens its record at 5-5.  The Bearcats will now wrap up the regular season on Monday, traveling to Washington & Jefferson for a 3:30pm match. 

PHOTO:  The Bearcat seniors, flanked by head coach Enrico Campi, prior to their home finale win against Thomas More