Vilms, Ward Advance To Fourth Round Of ITA Regional Tournament

LAS -- After winning two matches each Thursday, BYU sophomore Gert Vilms and senior Damien Ward each advanced to the fourth round of singles at the ITA Regional Tournament hosted by UNLV.

Ward, who is the eighth-seeded player in the singles tournament, defeated Utah's Kevin Zenger 6-4, 7-6 Thursday in the second round and followed it with a win over Malcom Swan of Idaho State 7-6, 6-1. With the wins Ward will now face ninth-seeded Wesley Moodie of Boise State today.

Vilms advanced by also winning two matches Thursday. He beat Alvaro Dominquez of New Mexico State 7-6, 7-5. He followed that victory up with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Thijs Gossens of Montana State. He will play fourth-seeded Nic Dubey of New Mexico today.

Junior Nic Losee advanced to the second round by receiving a bye in the first round, but lost in the second round Thursday to Ryan Gerstner of Boise State 6-4, 6-2. Cougar freshman Carlos Lozano was also knocked out of the singles main draw after losing to sixth-seeded Adam Webster from San Diego State 6-4, 6-4 Thursday.

In doubles play, all three Cougars teams have advanced to third round play after winning matches Thursday. Ward/Vilms will play Takeshi Itoh and Bart Scott of New Mexico today. They advanced by defeating Ronald Rugimbana and Marws Burnston of Boise State 8-5. Dave White and Jeff Harbach advanced to the third round where they will face Webster and Danny Castro of San Diego State. Losee/Lozano defeated Jens Bolleyer and Dominquez of New Mexico State. They will now face Utah's Ashley Dyer and David Mercier today.

The tournament will finish Sunday.