(Posted March 6, 2006)

Hilton Head, S.C. - If the opening match of the season serves as an indicator of future success then the 2006 season could be a memorable one for the Juniata College tennis team. The Eagles opened the 2006 campaign with a 7-0 sweep over Eastern University Monday morning in Hilton Head, S.C.

Juniata claimed all six singles matches in straight sets, and also posted wins in all three doubles contests to claim the doubles point.

A pair of freshmen captured their first-ever collegiate victories on the day for the Eagles as John Skoner (Central Catholic/Pittsburgh) earned a 6-1, 6-3 victory at second singles and Ryan Navarro (Bishop Guilfoyle/Altoona) claimed a with at fifth singles by a score of 6-0, 6-2.

Neil Eicher (Altoona/Altoona) earned a victory at the top singles position with a 6-4, 6-2 win. Brian Sykes (Gateway Regional/Woodburry Heights, N.J.) faced the stiffest competition at third singles as he fought through a tough first set before posting a 7-5, 6-2 win. Brandon Long (Lebanon/Lebanon) cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win at fourth singles and Jonathan Cohen (Highland Regional/Hollywood, Fla.) swept his way to a 6-0, 6-0 win at sixth singles.

The Eagles were just as dominant on the double courts as the tightest match was an 8-3 win for Sykes and Cohen at the second doubles position. Skoner and Jack Walfish (Spring-Ford/Royersford) blanked their third doubles opposition by an 8-0 score while Long and Eicher earned an 8-1 win at first doubles.

Juniata returns to action Tuesday in Hilton Head with a match against Wilkes University.

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