KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (October 13, 2006) - The ETSU men's tennis team began play today in the first day of the Volunteer State Challenge. The tournament which features the elite programs of the Volunteer State included ETSU, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State, Vanderbilt and Memphis. The challenge is being played in a hidden dual-match format.

In the Bucs first match of the day, ETSU won three of the six matches it played against Middle Tennessee State. Senior Felix Insaurralde (Asuncion, Paraguay) defeated No. 32 Andreas Siljestrom in three rounds, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, while Sebastian Serrano (Cartagena, Colombia) defeated Joao Pailiello, 6-2, 7-5. Newcomer Daniel Isaza (Medellin, Colombia) defeated Marc Boiron, 7-5, 6-2.

During their second match of the day, the Bucs took on Memphis and took six of the seven matches. Insaurralde picked up his second victory of the day as he defeated Benny Fischer, 6-0, 6-1. Junior Lisandro Picardo (Mar del Plata, Venezuela) defeated Amrit Narasimhan, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, while Serrano picked up his second victory defeating Jimmy Khougassian, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. Enrique Olivares (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) defeated Spencer Heflin, 6-3, 6-1 and Alex Ahlgren (Tyreso, Sweden) defeated Cody Loup, 6-3, 6-7, 7-5, while Travis Sandlant (Werribee, Australia) defeated 6-1, 6-2. Isaza picked up the sixth match for the Bucs defeating Vinny Craveiro, 6-0, 6-0.

ETSU continues competition Saturday in the Volunteer State Challenge, competing against Vanderbilt in singles and Memphis and Middle Tennessee State in doubles. Action will begin at 9:30 a.m.