For Immediate Release: Friday, April 25, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS ADVANCE AT SLC

ARLINGTON, TX-For the second year in a row, The University of Texas-Pan American men's tennis team has advanced to the semi-finals of the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Broncs defeated Lamar, 4-2, in a first-round match at the UTA Tennis Center Friday.

After winning the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead, the Broncs won three of the next five singles matches to clinch the decision. Freshman Oliver Steil (Brunssum, The Netherlands/AF North International School) defeated Christian Olivier at number five singles, 6-0, 6-3, and sophomore Filip Koziell (Calgary, AB/Bishop Carroll HS) defeated Nebojsa Murisic at number to by the same score. Sophomore Jeremy Salvo's (Coquitlam, BC/Centennial Secondary) victory over John Guerrero at number four by a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 score allowed Texas-Pan American to clinch the win. At number six, freshman Nik Porter (Tunbridge Wells, England/ Bennett Memorial School) was serving at match point against Juan Pablo Alatorre in the third set when the match was halted after Salvo's victory.

"We played OK in doubles, but match-wise, we were a little rusty today, which is to be expected, since we haven't played in two weeks," said UTPA Head Coach Todd Chapman. "I'm glad we had a first round match against a good opponent. Filip and Oliver played very well in singles. Jeremy and Nik each played two good sets. They both won the first set, lost the second and came back in the third. We're happy with the win. At this time of the year, any win is a good one, because it means that you advance. We're looking forward to tomorrow's match."

The Broncs improved to 13-7 with the victory, while the Cardinals fell to 8-12 with the defeat. Texas-Pan American will play top-seeded and host Texas-Arlington in a semi-final match Saturday morning.

MT-LAMAR2-042503

TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN 4, LAMAR 2-MEN

DOUBLES

1-Filip Koziell and Tom Mangelschots, UTPA, defeated Nebojsa Murisic and Naeem Kath, 8-6
2-Jeremy Salvo and Oliver Steil, UTPA, defeated Jakob Paulsen and Christian Olivier, 8-4
3-John Guerrero and Juan Pablo Alatorre, LU, defeated Matt Gower and Nik Porter, 8-5

SINGLES

1-Paulsen, LU, defeated Mangelschots, 7-6, 6-1
2-Koziell, UTPA, defeated Murisic, 6-0, 6-3
3-Kath, LU, defeated Gower, 6-1, 6-4
4-Salvo, UTPA, defeated Guerrero, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1
5-Steil, UTPA, defeated Olivier, 6-0, 6-3
6-Porter, UTPA, vs. Alatorre, LU, stopped after match was decided