Men's Tennis Fares Well at Collegiate State Championships

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October 11, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Brian Vahaly captured the A singles title today to highlight the final day of play at the annual Virginia Collegiate Men’s Tennis State Championships at the Sheridan G. Snyder Tennis Center on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers are among eight state schools participating in the three-day event.

Vahaly, a sophomore from Atlanta, Ga., defeated Trevor Spracklin of William & Mary 6-2, 6-2 in a semifinal match this morning to set up a championship match against VCU’s Daniel Andersson. Andersson, the tournament’s top seed, is ranked third in the preseason national rankings. Andersson advanced by defeated UVa junior John Winter 6-3, 6-4.

Vahaly, the tournament’s second seed and the #15 player in the nation, won the first set 6-4, but dropped the second set in a tie-breaker 7-6 (5) to set the stage for the deciding third set. Andersson was bothered throughout the match by leg cramps and fell behind quickly losing the first three games before giving in to his cramps and retiring. The win was Vahaly’s second in a row over Andersson. He defeated Andersson in the NCAA regional tournament last spring.

William & Mary’s Pat Brown defeated Gerd Utrecht of James Madison 6-4, 6-0 to win the title at B singles.

William & Mary’s Lee Harang and Brian Lubin won the A doubles with an 8-2 win over UVa’s Winter and senior Hyon Yoo.

Radford’s Faycal Rhazali won the A singles consolation with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Richmond’s Alex Howard.

UVa freshman Jason Romesburg beat teammate Jeff Dawkins 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) in the B singles consolation.

James Madison’s Brian Nelson and Marty Pfannmuller won the A doubles consolation with an 8-4 win over Radford’s Rhazali and Eric Christianson.

Virginia’s Dawkins and Nick Aquavella won the B doubles consolation 8-3 over Tim Brown and Luis Rosado.