ETSU shuts out third consecutive A-Sun opponent

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 6, 2013) – An emotional Senior Day ended in the No. 74 ETSU men’s tennis team’s third consecutive shutout of a conference opponent as the Buccaneers defeated Northern Kentucky, 7-0, Saturday afternoon from the ETSU Tennis Complex.

Seniors Jesus Bandres (Caracas, Venezuela) and Juan Ramirez (Asuncion, Paraguay) played the final true home match of their collegiate careers – ETSU hosts the A-Sun Tournament later this month. The leaders did not disappoint with No. 120 Bandres defeating Guillaume Berman, 6-0, 6-2, at No.1 and Ramirez nailing down a straight-set victory at No. 3 over Pierce Kohls, 6-3, 6-4.

Bandres and Ramirez each upped their 2013 A-Sun records to 5-1. The two are a combined 50-8 – Bandres 25-6 and Ramirez 25-2 – all-time against league opponents.

“It was a great day and it was great to get another win,” said an emotional Director of ETSU Tennis, Yaser Zaatini. “Sadly, this was [Bandres’ and Ramirez’s] final home match and it brings great memories along with a whirlwind of emotions. When I look back at their careers, there are some great moments. Unfortunately, sooner or later it has to end and it has me a little on the downside.”

It truly was a perfect day to honor the Buccaneer seniors. Sunshine and warm temperatures brought a great crowd out to the newly built tennis complex to watch ETSU run past its fifth straight A-Sun opponent.

Ramirez and junior Jorge Varon (Valencia, Venezuela) got it started, skating by Jody Maginley and Kohls, 8-1, on court two. Sophomore Ricardo Pabon (Bogota, Columbia) and junior Roger Ordeig (Gurb, Spain) finished up shortly after on court three by same score over Cameron Johnson and Balin Zsidai to clinch the first point. It was then Bandres’ and Rogerio Ribeiro’s (Sao Paulo, Brazil) turn to earn the Bucs a doubles sweep in the top match, 8-3, against Berman and Andre Correa.

ETSU’s talent was too much for the Norse as the Bucs cruised in singles. Ordeig got it started, 6-0, 6-1, over Maginley and Bandres won his fifth consecutive match, moving his record at No. 1 to 11-3, with a trouncing of Berman. Ribeiro clinched, 6-2, 6-1, past Correa.

Ramirez made it a perfect Senior Day with his 11th win of the spring season while Fernando Amon (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Varon made it a 7-0 sweep. Amon’s win was his first collegiate dual victory.

The Buccaneers finish up the regular season next weekend on the road against Mercer and Kennesaw State. The Mercer matchup is set for Friday at 2 p.m., while the Kennesaw State season finale is Saturday at 10 a.m.

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For more information on ETSU men’s tennis, please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.