Tennis off to strong start in NCAA regionals

PITTSBURGH, Pa -The UT Tyler men's tennis team started strong in the first round of the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament at Carnegie Mellon University on Thursday.

The men won three doubles and two singles matches against the Marywood University, the champions of the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

David Ashlock and Andrew Reznik defeated Daniel Pfafman and Greg Chilson 8-2. Nick Kreines and Brad Fenter defeated Todd Doran and Nolan Wyatt 8-2. Adam Chirhart and Joshua Chavez defeated Barrett Wentworth and Ethan Jones 8-1.

In the singles matches, Kreines defeated Nolan, 6-0, 6-2. Chirhart defeated Pfafman 6-0, 6-0.

Ashlock, Chavez, Fenter, and Kevin Wright's singles matches went unfinished after Kreines sin

Patriots on the winning side for first round

gle victory sealed the Patriots win.

Thursday's wins advance the Patriots to round two at 9 a.m. CST on Friday against Mary Washington University, the Capital Athletic Conference champs.

This week the women's tennis team is playing in Clairemont, Calif. in the women's half of the regional championship. Coach Chris Bizot is assisting the women in California and assistant coach Adam Stone is accompanying the men.

Stone said he is pleased with the first round results, but expects Friday's matches to be a little more challenging.

"It was a pretty good first round," Stone said. "Tomorrow we will be more of the underdog. Hopefully we can pull it off,

If the men win Friday they will advance to play on Saturday.

Carnie Mellon is located downtown Pittsburg nestled between towering buildings and historic churches. The University of Pittsburg, located nearby, is just one many other universities located within the city.

Rain was a concern on Thursday because the previous day had low temperatures and wet weather.  Even though it was cloudy and slightly breezy, the rain stayed away allowing the Patriots a good day of play.