Sept. 28, 2003
STOCKTON, Calif. - Freshman Kevin McQuaid earned singles and doubles crowns to lead the Santa Clara University men's tennis program at the Tiger Fall Classic, hosted by the University of the Pacific at the Hal Nelson Tennis Courts. The Broncos won two singles championships, one doubles crown and one doubles consolation title.
Three Broncos advanced to the semifinal in Flight C, with McQuaid facing teammate Ben Hidalgo in the final and earning a 6-2, 6-0 victory. McQuaid then paired with fellow freshman Bobby Rasmussen to top teammates Hidalgo and Ted Blosser 8-4 in the Flight B doubles championship.
"It means so much to me to start my Bronco career with titles in singles and doubles," McQuaid said. "I thought I played better each match at this tournament. I hope to have this much success again in two weeks in Fresno."
Gernot Fischer won the Flight A singles crown, besting host Pacific's Arnar Sigurdsson in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3).
"I'm happy that I won my first tournament for the Broncos," Fischer said. "It was a tough match. I played well in the first set, then I struggled a little bit in the middle; it was a grind. I finally won in the tiebreak. I think I played better match to match through the tournament. It was a tough weekend."
Fischer and doubles partner Taylor Bedilion won a consolation title in the A flight.
The Broncos have had previous success at this event. Bedilion took home the consolation singles title in 2002, while now-graduated Michael Bruggemann teamed with senior Erich Chen to capture the doubles crown. In 2001, then-freshmen Francisco Zepponi, Chris Lam and Bedilion swept the three flights in singles competition, while Lam paired with senior Rick Ruso for a consolation doubles championship.
Next week, Santa Clara will attempt to qualify for the ITA All-American Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn. Other fall events are as follows: Fresno State Bulldog Classic October 10-12, ITA Regional Championship October 17-20 and the Southern California Intercollegiate November 5-9.
Singles Flight A, Final
Gernot Fischer (SCU) def. Arnar Sigurdsson (UOP) 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3)
Consolation Singles Flight A, Final
Joakim Rydberg (SAC) def. (2) Taylor Bedilion (SCU) 6-4, 6-4
Singles Flight C, Semifinal
(1) Kevin McQuaid (SCU) def. Casey McMakin (UCD) 6-1, 6-2
Ben Hidalgo (SCU) def. (2) Bobby Rasmussen (SCU) 6-3, 6-4
Singles Flight C, Final
(1) Kevin McQuaid (SCU) def. Ben Hidalgo (SCU) 6-2, 6-0
Consolation Singles Flight C, Semifinal
Robert Price (UOP) def. Ted Blosser (SCU) 6-4, 7-6
Doubles Flight B, Final
(1) McQuaid/Rasmussen (SCU) def. (3) Hidalgo/Blosser (SCU) 8-4
Consolation Doubles Flight A, Semifinal
(4) Bedilion/Fischer (SCU) def. Bartels/Chin (UCD) 8-4
Consolation Doubles Flight A, Final
(4) Bedilion/Fischer (SCU) def. Berglund/Wojnarowicz (LMU) default