Saturday, September 19, 2009

ATHENS, Ga.  (Sept. 18, 2009) - After a series of wet weather pushed back the start of the 49^th annual Southern Intercollegiate Championships Friday, the ETSU men's tennis team opened play with a number of strong wins inside the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

With the steady rain falling outside, the Bucs were pouring in wins early as junior Grega Teraz (Mojstrana, Slovenia) advanced in the Division I bracket, defeating Lucas Koncillia of College of Charleston with a trilling three-set comeback victory, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2.

Fellow Buccaneer, sophomore Sander Gille (Kuringen, Belgium), also advanced to Saturday's Round of 32 after making quick work of Alabama's Michael Thompson, 6-3, 6-1.

Unfortunately for ETSU, freshman Jesus Bandres (Caracas, Venezuela) fell in his Round of 64 match to South Florida's Jamal Adderley. After earning multiple ranked wins last weekend, the ETSU newcomer will now head to Sunday's consolation bracket after falling 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Meanwhile, sophomore Jeremy Bonnevalle (Keerbergen, Belgium) dropped his opening contest to Georgia State's Martin Shishkov in Division II singles action. After winning his first set 6-4, Bonnevalle - who has battled some early season injuries - dropped his final two frames 6-3, 6-4.

In doubles play ETSU picked up its first victory in the Division II flight, as sophomore Ofir Weintraub (Rishon Le Zion, Israel) and senior Daniel Isaza (Medellin, Columbia) made quick work of Atlantic Sun Conference rival Kennesaw State's Ozdemir and Kahler, 8-1.

Action and results continue with play beginning at 8:00 a.m., Saturday. Please visit ETSUBucs.com for scores and updates throughout the weekend.