FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-10-06

2006 NCAA DII National Championships, Round of 16: No. 2 West Florida 5, No. 7 AASU 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For a second straight year, the Armstrong Atlantic men's tennis team has had its run at a national championship ended by the West Florida Argonauts in a tight match.

Vivian Chhetri defeated Cristian Easton at No. 6 singles in a three-set thriller, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, to give the defending DII national champions a 5-4 win over the Pirates in the first round of the 2006 NCAA DII Men's Tennis Championships in Kansas City.

The Argonauts took a 2-1 lead after doubles, and led 4-3 with two matches remaining on the court. The Pirates' Paul Bishop won a third-set tiebreak, defeating West Florida's Alberto Torchia, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), to even the site at 4-4 and setting the stage for the deciding singles match. AASU got singles wins from David Secker and Robert Jendelund to keep the Pirates' hopes in the match alive. It was the second time that West Florida has knocked off the Pirates, 5-4, this season - they also won on Feb. 25 in Valdosta by the same score.

AASU finishes the season with an 18-7 record and the 12th straight NCAA Championships appearance in school history and 14th overall.

- Pirates -

2006 NCAA DII National Championship - Round of 16

No. 2 West Florida 5, No. 7 AASU 4
Singles
1. Diego Zorzi (UWF) def. Davor Zink (AASU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Paul Bishop (AASU) def. Alberto Torchia (UWF) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3)
3. Robert Jendelund (AASU) def. Eduardo Cavasotti (UWF) 7-6 (7), 6-1
4. Nicolas Barrientos (UWF) def. Taavo Roos (AASU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
5. David Secker (AASU) def. Gael Gaetjens (UWF) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
6. Vivian Chhetri (UWF) def. Cristian Easton (AASU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3

Doubles
1. Jendelund/Roos (AASU) def. Torchia/Cavasotti (UWF) 9-8 (10)
2. Chhetri/Zorzi (UWF) def. Bishop/Secker (AASU) 9-8 (1)
3. Luis Arboleda/Barrientos (UWF) def. Easton/Zink (AASU) 8-4
Records: West Florida (25-6), AASU (18-7)