Men's Tennis Advances to NCAA Second Round; Defeats Tennessee Tech, 4-1 5/10/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The sixth-ranked Vanderbilt men's tennis team (23-3) survived an early scare from in-state foe Tennessee Tech (15-10) on Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. With their 4-1 victory over the Golden Eagles, the Commodores will now advance to Sunday's second round against Pepperdine at 12 p.m. at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center.

The Waves of Pepperdine (17-10) defeated Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State, 4-1, prior to the Vanderbilt-Tennessee Tech match. Sunday's meeting will be the first match between Vanderbilt and Pepperdine.

The Commodores, who are now 4-0 in NCAA First Round matches, came out a little sluggish in the doubles competition, as the Golden Eagles shocked the large Currey Center crowd by taking the critical doubles point. For Vanderbilt, it was only the fourth time in 25 matches it has lost the doubles point.

Juniors Zach Dailey and Lewie Smith were the first to get off the court in doubles, as they easily defeated Rodrigo Cuesta and Michele Panzeri, 8-1. Dailey and Smith are a perfect 5-0 since teaming up against Auburn back on April 4.

The Golden Eagles scored two big upset victories at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. Junior Bobby Reynolds and sophomore Scott Brown fell to Gernut Fischer and Luis Aguerrevere at the No. 1 spot, 8-6. Tennessee Tech clinched the point at the No. 2 position, as Razvan Ilie and Will Chappel defeated junior Chad Harris and Matt Lockin in the tiebreaker 9-8 (5).

After dropping the doubles point, the Commodores didn't waste any time in regaining control of the match. Dailey locked up the first point for the 'Dores, as he cruised by Cuesta in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2, at the No. 5 position. With the win, Dailey improves to 20-3 in dual matches this season.

Brown kept things rolling at the No. 4 position, as he defeated Knoxville, Tenn. native Will Chappel in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. The All-SEC Second Team member notched his 19th win of the year on Saturday.

Smith was the next one to exit off the court, as he defeated Panzeri with no troubles, 6-2, 6-1. For the Memphis native, it was his 25th win of the 2002-03 season.

Lockin sealed the match for the Commodores, as he defeated Ilie in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, at the No. 3 spot. Lockin, who also was named to the All-SEC second team, picked up his 26th win of the year.

Reynolds and Harris were not able to finish their matches at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, respectively. Both players were up a set in their matches.

Singles

Doubles