BRISTOL, Tenn. (Feb. 12, 2011) - The No. 49-ranked ETSU men's tennis team started out strong by winning the doubles point and the Bucs maintained the steady play in singles play in defeating Appalachian State, 5-2, Saturday night at the Bristol Racquet Club. The Bucs improve their record to 2-4 on the young season, while Appalachian State falls to 1-2.

"It was a very good match tonight and I thought we competed real well," said ETSU assistant coach Ricky Rojas. "Everybody showed up and played hard against a good team. I thought that everybody really responded well and I am proud of our guys for a good win."

ETSU got off to a 1-0 lead following doubles play as the Bucs took each of the three doubles matches. Grega Teraz (Mojstrana, Slovenia) and Charles Bottoni (Bois Guillaume, France) earned an 8-6 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Jesus Bandres (Caracas, Venezuela) and Sander Gille (Kuringen, Belgium) also picked up an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles. To cap things off, Robin Akser (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) and Juan Ramirez (Asuncion, Paraguay ) defeated Ezekiel Sansing and Andrew McKinnon, 8-5, at the No. 3 spot.

In singles play, the Bucs picked up where they left off as Jeremy Bonnevalle (Keerbergen, Belgium) earned his first dual victory of the season at the No. 6 position. He defeated Matt Saltsgaver in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Bottoni and Ramirez also picked up straight set wins for the Bucs to clinch the victory. Bottoni defeated Philip Kloc, 7-6, 6-0, while Ramirez knocked off McKinnon, 6-4, 6-2, at the No. 4 position. The Bucs also earned a tough three set victory in the No. 2 position as Teraz defeated Alain Humblet, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2.

The Bucs return to action next Saturday as they host Middle Tennessee State at the Bristol Racquet Club. That match is also set for 7 p.m.