Thursday, January 13, 2000

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- The men's tennis program will open its spring season with a dual match at the University of Tennessee on January 15 at 6 p.m.

The Bucs' first home match will be against Murray State on January 16. The match will be played on the Mini Dome courts and is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

The Bucs begin the spring season ranked 52nd nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. It is the highest ranking in program history. ETSU is ranked No. 6 in Region II, also its best rankings in school history.

Junior Gustavo Gomez (Balcarce, Argentina) is ranked 67th nationally. Freshman Marcos Pavlovich (Otamendi, Argentina) is ranked No. 16 in Region II. The doubles team of Gomez and sophomore Roberto Fernandez (Buenos Aires, Argentina) is ranked No. 7 in Region II.

Tennessee is ranked #9 nationally in the ITA pre-season poll. The Volunteers are led by Mark Parsons (#17) and Peter Handoyo (#18) who are ranked in the top-20 nationally.

Other Tennis Notes:
The East Tennessee State University tennis program will hold its fifth-annual Snow Volleys Doubles Championships from January 16-23, 2000 in ETSU's Memorial Center.

In addition to being an adult indoor doubles tournament, the Snow Volleys Championships offers the community a chance to meet members of the Buccaneer tennis program.

ETSU's Snow Volleys is sponsored by Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Surgery Group, Klein & Associates, Telescan, Gastrointestinal Associates of Northeast Tennessee and NN Ball & Roller, Inc.