Wildcats split opening-season matches

Wildcats fall to Red Raiders, bounce back to beat Cardinals

LUBBOCK -- The men's tennis team opened its 2004 spring season Sunday afternoon by splitting a pair of matches against NCAA Division I foes.

ACU opened the season with a 7-2 loss to Texas Tech before bouncing back to beat Lamar, 5-2.  The Wildcats and Red Raiders battled cold and windy conditions in Lubbock while playing outdoors.  ACU's match against Lamar was moved indoors.

ACU sophomore Evan Puglia was the only Wildcat to win a singles match, defeating Dimitrio Martinez, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6.  ACUs team of Kevin Beedy and George Carstens came up with the Wildcats' only doubles win, an 8-6 victory over Teddy BiBlasi and Michael Innerebner.

The Wildcats got off to a good start in their win over Lamar, sweeping the three doubles matches to take a commanding lead.  The duo of Trent Broach and Evan Puglia survived a close match with Ignacio Melus and Dean Clower, winning 9-8 (10-2). Casper Steenkamp and Jason Ray teamed up to beat Juan Pablo Alatorre and Emilio Kirby 8-4, while Beedy and Carstens defeated Jonathan Capps and Naeem Kath 8-6.

The Wildcats had no trouble winning four singles matches with Steenkamp, Broach, Ray and Beedy came up with vicories.

The Wildcats will return to action this weekend when they host the ACU Indoor Classic, Friday and Saturday at the Teague Special Events Center.  ACU will play Trinity, McMurry, Western New Mexico, Howrd Payne and Dallas Baptist.