Oct. 4, 2015
TULSA, Okla. (UCFKnights.com) -Two members of the UCF men's tennis team have already seen the courts this weekend at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa.
Junior Chris Barrus has won twice to advance in the pre-qualifying bracket, while junior Inaki Espindola moved to the consolation bracket after an opening-round loss.
Barrus defeated UTSA's Jake Rother, 6-3, 6-1, on Saturday in the pre-qualifying round. He earned his second victory this morning over Mississippi State's Trevor Foshey, 6-1, 7-5.
"Chris has strong momentum right now," said head coach Bobby Cashman. "He's confident and competing well. I am proud of him and happy for our team."
Espindola plays Oral Robert's Braxton Bates at 6:30 p.m. Sunday night in the consolation pre-qualifying round. Barrus will face Memphis' Felix Rauch on Sunday night.
Barrus and Espindola return to the courts later today to continue their campaigns. Junior Mariano Porter will start play in the qualifying round at 1 p.m. on Monday against a winner from the pre-qualifying round.
Chris Barrus
Rd. of 256 defeated Jake Rother UTSA 6-3, 6-1
Rd. of 128 defested T. Foley Miss State 6-1, 7-5
Inaki Espindola
Rd. of 256 lost to Danil Zelenkov, George Washington 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
Story by Becca Burkhardt ; Photo by Brad Helton