April 17, 2006
Belmont Men's Tennis Wins the Atlantic Sun Championship
Team NCAA Tournament Bound
The Belmont men’s tennis team (7-8) captured their first Atlantic Sun Conference title as they defeated #2 seed Stetson 4-2 in the championship match held Saturday morning in Macon, Georgia. The win also earns Belmont a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins got off to a quick start taking the doubles’ point as Felipe Lima and Felipe Abreu took down Mario Alberto Cayo and Birger Soiland at number three. At #2, Ignacio Gesto and Alex Gillott defeated Joey Jones and Trevor Bach to clinch the point.
In singles’ play, Belmont extended its lead to 3-0 with wins at number three and six. Fausto Rocha won at #3 with a 6-1, 7-6 win over Joey Jones, while teammate Felipe Abreu defeated Peter Dzuba at #6 6-1, 6-4. Stetson’s Marcus Echtler (#1) registered a win keeping the Hatters alive and Birger Soiland defeated Gesto at #5, trimming the lead to 3-2.
With two matches remaining, Stetson still had hopes of springing a comeback win, but Belmont’s Javier Rodriguez recorded a three-set win over Cayo giving the Bruins its first A-Sun championship.
“What a great day to be a Belmont Bruin,” said Jim Madrigal, Belmont head coach. “These guys played hard throughout this tournament and their hard work was rewarded today with this championship. I am just so proud of this team right now.”
Next up for the Bruins is a trip to the NCAA Tournament. They will find out who and where they will play when the NCAA announces the tournament field on Thursday, May 4.
For more information on this year’s men’s tennis championship, go to the Atlantic Sun website at www.atlanticsun.org.
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Named one of the top two “Schools to Watch” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University is a fast-growing community of more than 5,400 students who come from every state and 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 20 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
For more information visit www.belmont.edu
