Oct. 26, 2002
MORAGA, Calif. - Junior Erich Chen won both of his first round singles matches to lead the Santa Clara University men's tennis team Saturday in the first two rounds of the Omni Hotels ITA Northwest Regional Championships at the Korth Tennis Complex at Saint Mary's College.
Chen, a native of San Jose and graduate of nearby Bellarmine Prep, knocked-off Oregon's Adam Walker in three sets in the first round then defeated Andy Sinn of Fresno State 7-6, 6-3 in the second round. In addition to his third-round singles match on Sunday, he is scheduled to team with Michael Bruggemann in the doubles competition. The duo won the doubles title at last week's Tiger Classic and advanced to the final at the Bulldog Invitational two weeks ago.
"Overall, I was very pleased with the way our team competed today," said head coach George Husack. "This region is probably the second-strongest in the country and many of the top players in the nation are in the main draw. Considering several of our guys are recovering from various injuries, I thought we performed pretty well today.
"Tomorrow's consolation draws will be especially tough with a number of very good players losing today. But, that will give our guys a chance to play some really quality competition and see how we will match up."
In addition to Chen's first round victory, Federico Mattioli, Taylor Bedilion and Ted Blosser all won their initial matches in the tournament. Mattioli knocked-off Cal Poly's Adrian Marduyks in a hard-fought 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 decision. Bedilion defeated Max Lacroix of Pacific and Blosser, a walk-on from Paradise Valley, Ariz., overcame Gonzaga's Reid Arthur 6-1, 7-6.
The Broncos return to action Sunday in continuing singles and doubles action as well as the start of the consolation brackets.
Santa Clara First Round Singles Results
Erich Chen (SCU) def. Adam Walker (Oregon), 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-4
Scott Felsenthal (Wash) def. Francisco Zepponi (SCU), 6-1, 6-4
Federico Mattioli (SCU) def. Adrian Mardyks (Cal Poly), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Taylor Bedilion (SCU) def. Max Lacroix (Pacific), 6-3, 6-3
Quinn Borchard (Portland) def. Michael Bruggemann (SCU), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Ted Blosser (SCU) def. Reid Arthur (Gonzaga), 6-1, 7-6(4)
Santa Clara Second Round Singles Results
Chen (SCU) def. Andy Sinn (Fresno St), 7-6(12), 6-3
Phil Sheng (Stanford) def. Mattioli (SCU), 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
#5 Balasz Vareff (Cal) def. Bedillion (SCU), 6-2, 6-0
#9 Ari Strausburg (Wash) def. Blosser (SCU), 6-1, 6-4
Santa Clara Feed-In Consolation Singles Results
Zepponi (SCU) def. Bryce Cooper (Gonzaga), 6-1, 6-4
Santa Clara First Round Doubles Results
Otte / Kubler (Pacific) def. Rick Ruso / Mattioli (SCU), w/d due to injury