Sept. 22, 2007
ATHENS, Ga. – Ryan Smith reached the Division II round of 16 to lead Georgia Tech on the second day of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
“In all, I was happy with our play today,” Head Coach Kenny Thorne said. “We did make some bad decisions on the courts due to inexperience and need to get these things out of our games. This is why we have the fall season.”
Smith, a freshman from Marietta, Ga., continued to impress for the Jackets, winning his round of 32 match against James McArthur of Louisville in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. After a break, he took the court against John Peers of Middle Tennessee State. Smith kept it close in the first set but the freshman fell 7-5, 6-2, to end his run toward the Division II singles bracket title.
“Ryan (Smith) had a really good tournament,” Thorne said. “He beat some top guys from different schools. It was a really good experience for him.”
The Jackets faired well in the consolation singles bracket on Saturday, picking up wins by senior George Gvelesiani and freshman Miguel Muguruza.
In doubles play, the tandem of Gvelesiani and Smith opened the day with a match against Davey Sandgren and J.P. Smith of Tennessee. The Jackets duo played a tough match but was defeated 8-5, in the round of 32.
The freshman pair of Doug Kenny and Muguruza also lost in their doubles match, 8-3, to Drake Bernstein and Joshua Varela of Gerogia.
The four-day tournament continues Sunday. Results for all matches will be posted on RamblinWreck.com following the conclusion of doubles and singles each day.
Georgia Tech Results – Saturday
Singles
Division II
(R. 32) Ryan Smith (GaTech) d. James McArthur (Louisville), 6-4, 6-4
(R. 16) John Peers (MTSU) d. Ryan Smith (GaTech), 7-5, 6-2
(R. 32) Drake Bernstein (UGA) d. Eliot Potvin (GaTech), 6-1, 6-3
Division III
(R. 16) Chris Sheehan (USC) d. Doug Kenny (GaTech), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Doubles
Division I
(R.32) Sandgren/Smith (Tenn.) d. Gvelesiani/Smith, (8-5)
Division II
(R. 32) Bernstein/Varela (UGA) d. Kenny/M. Muguruza (GaTech), 8-3
– RamblinWreck.com –
