By Rico Chow, '12

Note: The Classic is postponed to the next week Sat., Nov. 6 - Mon., Nov. 8 due to possible rain.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara men's tennis team travels to Moraga, Calif. for the Saint Mary's Gael Classic. Having gained tournament experiences and momentum from the successful season-start matches at the ITA Northwest Regional Tournament, the Broncos are ready to draw the end of quarter tournament with outstanding performances. The Classic originally scheduled on Fri., Oct. 29 - Sun., Oct.31 is postponed to Sat., Nov. 6 - Mon., Nov.8.

For more information and to view daily results, click here.

The tournament will feature a three-flight format in singles and a two-flight format in doubles, with all matches taking place at the Timothy Korth Tennis Complex, located on the Saint Mary's campus. All Broncos are participating in the singles at the Classic. The Broncos doubles participating teams are Kyle Dandan/Nico Vinel, Eugene Muchynski/Keith Kamono and John Lamble/Maxime Armengaud.

Participating schools in the Classic are: No. 18 Cal, Cal Poly, Nevada, Saint Mary's, San Francisco, No. 53 Santa Clara, Sonoma State, No. 9 Stanford and UC Davis

The Broncos looks to continue their success this weekend as they take the courts on Friday.
Updates and results will be posted at SantaClaraBroncos.com throughout the tournament weekend.

The schedule and draws will be available from morning of the Sat., Nov. 6.

PLAYERS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW

Last year, Eugene Muchynski finished with astonishing results in the Gael Classic. He defeated fellow Bronco and the No. 1 seeded Tom Pham before taking on the No. 3 seeded Saint Mary's player to win the bracket finals in the B division singles bracket. In the doubles, Muchynski and Grant Felming made it to the finals of their bracket, but because of delays due to rain, the finals match was cancelled. He should be playing at the A bracket this year and is expected to finish in high standing.

A blue-chip freshman John Lamble is also a potential key player in this tournament. After having a successful win at his first college-level match against the No. 17 seed player from Portland (7-5, 6-0) and earned two more victories in the ITA Northwest Regional Tournament, he will enter the tournament more comfortably than before. When his confidence takes over the nervousness, his true ability will reveal.

The No. 1 Santa Clara doubles team Kyle Dandan and Nico Vinel will have an opportunity to revenge against the ITA Regional Men's Doubles champion team in the Classic, whom they lost by one game at the last tournament. Their morale and confidence carrying to the Classic are sky-high after realizing that they could have won the last tournament.

"They need to win the tournament," said Coach Mills. "There is no reason why they can't win the tournament in doubles for sure. Kyle should go to the Classic thinking that he can win the A flight in singles and doubles. That should be his mindset."

 QUOTING DEREK MILLS

"This is our last tournament for the fall and the last time that our players can play against the competitors other than ourselves. We should be in a position to start winning A division in both singles and doubles. Hopefully we will have another player to win the B division. We expect everybody to do well because a lot of the same teams from the ITA Northwest Regional Tournament are coming. Our guys are excited and really expected to do well."

Go Broncos!