Oct. 17, 2008

Contact: Greg Murphy

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Cleveland State's Rob West won a pair of matches on Thursday and is one win away from qualifying for the main draw at the ITA Regionals being contested at Ohio State this weekend.

West won his opening round match over Bartosz Jozwiak of DePaul, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) and then knocked off Indiana's Santiago Gruter in the second round, 6-3, 6-3.

"Rob had a really good day today," assistant coach Mark Barry said. "He was really strong physically and mentally and played some solid tennis to put himself in good position to qualify for the main draw."

West will now play his third match of the tournament at 8:00 a.m. on Friday with the winner earning a spot in the main draw.

CSU's Phil Orno is already in the main draw.

Junior Ryan Hamning lost his opening round match today to Western Illinois' Neil Lesinksi, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, to be eliminated from the singles competition.

Hamning and Orno will also begin play in the main doubles draw on Friday.

CSU RESULTS
Rob West d. Bartosz Jozwiak (DePaul), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
Rob West d. Santiago Gruter (Indiana), 6-3, 6-3

Neil Lesinski (Western Illinois) d. Ryan Hamning, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3