Oct. 21, 2010

Contact: Dan Carr

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Two Vikings advanced to the round of 16 in the singles qualifier to cap a successful first day of tennis at the ITA Midwest Regional on Thursday, Oct. 21.

Rob Fox and Matt Kuelker won their first two matches of the bracket. Fox blanked Valparaiso's Jose Gaspar (6-0, 6-0) in his first round match and then beat Skip Span of Illinois State (6-3, 6-2). Kuelker won his first round contest against UIC's Camilo Giraldo (6-2, 6-1) and later defeated Northern Illinois' Roman Turtygin (6-4, 6-3).

Matt Ford also won his first round match, beating Fabian Gogolin of Green Bay (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) before falling in straight sets to Western Michigan's Zeyad Mantasser (6-2, 6-2).

"It was a solid first day of tennis," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "We went 3-0 in conference matches and had two other good wins against good opponents. We're excited about the opportunity to continue advancing in the qualifier, and are looking forward to another good day of tennis tomorrow."

ITA Midwest Regional
Singles Qualifier
Round One
Rob Fox (CSU) d. Jose Gaspar (Valparaiso), 6-0, 6-0
Alex Robles (Wisconsin) d. John Haley (CSU), 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
Matt Ford (CSU) d. Fabian Gogolin (Green Bay), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Matt Kuelker (CSU) d. Camilo Giraldo (UIC), 6-2, 6-1

Round Two
Rob Fox d. Skip Span (Illinois State), 6-3, 6-2
Zeyad Montasser (Western Michigan) d. Matt Ford, 6-2, 6-2
Matt Kuelker d. Roman Turtygin (Northern Illinois) 6-4, 6-3