ELMIRA, NY — The Alfred University men’s tennis team defeated host Elmira, 5-4, Thursday afternoon in the 2009 Empire 8 Conference opener for both teams.

Alfred (2-0, 1-0 Empire 8) got singles wins from freshman Nate Kucko (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks), 6-4, 6-4 in third singles; senior Nick Middaugh (Belmont, NY/Genesee Valley), 5-7, 6-0, 6-0 in fourth singles; and sophomore Ryan Parlia (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South), 6-0, 6-2 in fifth singles.

Alfred clinched victory by winning two of three doubles matches. Kucko and Middaugh teamed to win second doubles, 9-8 (7-5), and freshman Kyle McDevitt (Underhill, VT/Mt. Mansfield Union) and Parlia won third doubles, 8-2.

AU is in action next on Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m. at Penn State-Behrend. The Saxons take on Frostburg (MD) State the following day at 10 a.m., at the Behrend courts in Erie, PA.