CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston's Joao Tayar was on the winning end of a tight three-set match to give UC a 4-3 victory over Salem University on Saturday evening at the YMCA of Kanawha Valley.
 
The Golden Eagles captured the all-important doubles point after getting wins at No. 1 & 3 doubles to take a 1-0 lead heading into singles.  Ben Lakeman and Tayar took the No. 1 court at 6-4 while Jason Prince and Adam Malouf paired up at No. 3 to cruise to a 6-2 victory.
 
Salem recovered in singles play, taking two of the first three matches off the court to even the match at 2-2 with three courts left playing.  Adam Malouf made quick work of his opponent, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 6 to briefly put the Golden Eagles ahead, 3-2.  Moments later, Jason Prince lost a tough three-set match at No. 5 singles that tied the score at 3-3 with just Tayar left on the court to decide the outcome.
 
Tayar dropped the opening set 3-6 but rallied in the second to force a third and deciding set.  The sophomore grabbed an early break to start the third set and never looked back, cruising to a 6-2 win and ultimately giving the Golden Eagles their first victory of 2019.
 
DOUBLES
Lakeman/Tayar (UC) def. Garwacki/Lainer (SU) 6-4
Losiak/Urjasz (SU) def. Andrews/Gracin (UC) 6-1
Prince/Malouf (UC) def. Shaw/Soumahoro (SU) 6-2
 
SINGLES
Urjasz (SU) def. Lakeman (UC) 6-3, 7-5
Gracin (UC) def. Soumahoro (SU) 6-4, 6-2
Tayar (UC) def. Garwacki (SU) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2
Losiak (SU) def. Andrews (UC) 6-0, 6-2
Lainer (SU) def. Prince (UC) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Malouf (UC) def. Shaw (SU) 6-2, 6-2