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SPORTS

THE TARTAN Oct. 19, 2011

Nicholas Sayer continues family legacy at Radford

Sophomore tennis star is quickly making a name for himself as one of the elite players in the conference and country.
MATT HALBERG
mjhalberg@radford.edu
The rst two years of sophomore Nicholas Sayers collegiate tennis career can best be described as a search for identity. Now entering his second year on the Radford University Mens Tennis team, 19-yearold Sayer is making waves as the top player on an RU squad that is consistently regarded as one of the best on the eastern seaboard in Division I tennis. Ive known Nicholas since he was 10, so he didnt just pop up on our radar, Head Coach Mike Anderson said. Ive followed him for a long time, and Ill tell you right now that he hasnt reached his full potential yet. Anderson, now enjoying his 16th year at the helm of the mens program, has been honored with a record of six consecutive Big South Coach of the Year awards (20062011), and is currently gunning for his seventh. What most people might not know is that Nicholas Sayer is not the rst Sayer brother that Anderson has coached. Nicks older brother, Martin Sayer, a 2009 graduate of RU, is among the best tennis products ever put out by the Big South conference. Martin Sayer owns a laundry list of accomplishments both on the collegiate and professional level. He became just the second player in Big South history to earn Big South Player of the Year honors four years in a row, compiled 114 wins in his career at RU (a school record that still stands), and was named to the Best of the Best list, a listing of the leagues best players, teams, and moments compiled in observance of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Big South conference. However, according to Anderson, both Martin and Nick Sayer are among the best players that he has ever coached in his entire career. Nick ranks at the very top, or near the top, in terms of the smartest players Ive ever coached, Anderson said. Getting a guy like Nicholas on your team is rare. Nick couldve gone anywhere in the country he wanted, in some ways on his brothers reputation, but mostly on his own reputation. He had scholarship offers from all over, like most of the other guys on the team had, but he decided to come to Radford. Sayer made waves as a freshman last year when he won the Big South Freshman of the Year award, was given the Big South Freshman of the Week award four times and was even named to the All-Conference Singles team. He also came in second on the team with 30 singles victories, second only to Ivan Salec. Earlier this year, Sayer shocked many in the college tennis world when he upset University of North Carolina junior Jose Hernandez, who was ranked No. 9 in the country at the time the match took place. Although the margin of victory was narrow (Sayer won two sets out of a three set match), the victory denitely sent a message to the Big South and the rest of Division I tennis: Martin is not the only Sayer brother with serious skills. Although he goes to school here in Radford, Sayer and his family reside in southern England, in the town of Farnham. Despite the huge strides that Sayer has already made in his career, the young man who some are calling the next big thing in the Big South seems to be relatively modest about his goals. I think that Ive improved somewhat from last year, Sayer said. Ive improved my forehand, and made it more of a weapon than it has been in the past. I just need to keep working hard, keep improving, and get tter and stronger in the gym. Hopefully itll all come out on the court and make me more of a mean tennis player. Also, the man whos been at the helm of the mens tennis program for the past 16 years seems to think that Sayer has not reached his full potential. Nicks best games are ahead of him, thats for sure, Anderson said.

Photos Courtesy of RU Athletics

Nicholas Sayer was named Big South Freshman of the Year for the 2010-2011 season.

Sayer started the year ranked No. 102 according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, and beat No. 9 Jose Hernandez on Sept. 24.

MENS: Highs end weekend in thrilling fashion with Paynes late goal
From page 7
The Highlanders followed up their victory on Oct. 12 with a 1-0 victory over High Point University on Oct. 15 before a crowd of 965 fans. The victory was the third win that day for RU athletics after the womens soccer victory over Winthrop University, and the volleyball victory over Coastal Carolina. Both teams in the first half gave up chances and both at the break recorded six shots apiece. RU came into the second half on a 0-0 tie, and the game winning goal for the Highlanders didnt come until about 15 minutes before the end of the game. Senior midfielder Anthony Payne fired an unassisted blast from 40 yards out, which made it past the Panthers senior goalkeeper Michael Chesler, and RU was able to hold onto the lead until the final whistle. We worked a lot, said senior forward Iyiola Awosika. We played real hard, we just had to keep running and hopefully get a result and we did. It was a complete team effort. Overall, RU outshot the Panthers 14-11, and all five corner kicks of the game were awarded to High Point as well. I think we had good performances from a lot of individuals, said Reeves after the win over High Point. You know Dario and Anthony were exceptional in the middle of midfield, Louis, Bernardo, Iyiola and Chel were very good on the attack inside of it, and our backfield and our keeper did a good job as well, so you know thats sort of naming every play of it. The Highs have outscored their opponents, 26-18 on the season. Additionally, sophomore goalkeeper Dane Wilson, who has started four games this season in place of the usual starter, junior Ryan Taylor, is giving up less than one goal per match (0.90). The two wins during the week improved the Highs to a record of 7-6 on the season, with a 3-2 record in the Big South conference. Their next game will be a road contest against Winthrop on Oct. 19 when the Highlanders travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina to play the Winthrop Eagles.

WOMENS: Highs set a pair of Big South records over weekend

From page 7
players, said Wiley. If you play Julie its going to be a goal. The erce wind and rain, which started shortly into the second half, didnt stop the Highs from challenging Gardener-Webb. The ball remained on the Runnin Bulldogs defensive end for most of the match. Freshman midelder Kara Nay nearly scored in the 61st minute, but her shot bounced off the cross bar. Senior goalkeeper Lisa Lubke picked up two saves during the game while GardnerWebb goalkeeper Erika Lenns made ve saves and gave up one goal. Were a defensive team and I think we played well in the back there. Gardner-Webb had some chances and it was a little scary at the end. Im proud of our defense, Im proud of our team, said Head Coach Ben Sohrabi. Its the rst time we have been 5-0 since 1999. Saturday will be a tough game and Winthrop is a good offensive team, but we are a good defensive team. Well just have to see. RU continued their win streak on Oct. 15 with a convincing overtime win over Winthrop University at Cupp Stadium. The Eagles came into the match ranked second in the Big South conference, and owned a 4-1 record. Winthrop goalkeeper Sara Schippers kept Ruh`e from scoring in the 34th minute after Ruh`e launched a shot from inside the box. Radford out shot Winthrop 17-12 on the match. The match was hard fought by both squads, neither of whom managed to score a goal in regulation. Finally, after nearly 100 minutes of play, sophomore midelder/forward Kathryn Johnston scored with 34 seconds remaining in the rst overtime period. Johnstons golden goal gave RU the victory. The win pushed the Highlanders to 6-0 in the Big South, which is a new conference record for most consecutive wins to start conference play. Whats even more signicant is that all six of the Highs victories have come by way of shutout; RU owns a scoring ratio of 8-0 in Big South play. All in all, the Highs have posted 10 shutouts in 14 regular season games for the 2011 season. Sophomore goalkeeper Che Brown made four saves and gave RU their sixth consecutive shutout. Brown is third in the nation in terms of save percentage (0.95 percent) while the Highs are eighth in the nation in terms of shutout percentage (0.66 percent). The Highs next match will be a 7 p.m. contest on Oct. 20 against High Point University.

JON HUFF | The Tartan

The womens soccer team became the first team in Big South conference history to start conference play off with a 6-0 record. Even more impressive, all of their victories have come via shutout.