Feb. 23, 2005

Charleston, SC - The Citadel's 4-3 victory over Washington and Lee last Friday was about as exciting as college tennis gets.

With a good crowd on hand, coach Toby Simpson's young Citadel team needed a confidence builder badly after dropping its first four matches of the spring season, including a pair of close home matches. But this one wouldn't be easy against an NCAA Division III team that was ranked 10th in the nation.

For all practical purposes, the match came down to No. 2 singles where The Citadel's Ananda Sawmynaden was playing W&L All-American David Shay. The No. 6 singles match was still going on and would finish even after the team match ended when Sawmynaden prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker.

Sawmynaden, a transfer from New Mexico Military Institute, has a huge serve and a strong forehand. He survived four match points to save not only his victory, but also probably his team's victory.

From the African coast island of Mauritius, Sawmynaden is an impressive athlete. At 6-3, 185 pounds, he looks powerful and athletic enough to play tight end or linebacker in football. After spending two years at New Mexico Military, he's in his first year at The Citadel, but a junior eligibility-wise in tennis.

-- The Bulldogs will be at home again Saturday at noon against UNC-Wilmington.