Four BYU Men's Tennis Players Advance in In ITA Regional Tournament Singles

LAS -- With three Cougars receiving a bye and another winning his first round match, four Cougars have advanced to the second round of the ITA Regional Tournament in Las Vegas.

Senior Damien Ward, the No. 8-seed in the tournament, sophomore Gert Vilms (No. 13) and junior Nic Losee (No. 14) all advanced to the second round, which concludes play tonight, by receiving a bye in the first round. Freshman Carlos Lozano also advanced after defeating Dean Kimoto of Eastern Washington 6-1, 6-2.

The second round matches will be played throughout today. Ward will play Kevin Zenger of Utah, Losee will play Ryan Gerstner from Boise State, Vilms will face Alvaro Dominquez of New Mexico State and Lozano will play No. 6-seed Adam Webster of San Diego State.

Dave White and Jeff Harbach also competed in first round play for the Cougars, but were defeated. White lost to Tom Deangelis of the Air Force Academy 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Harbach was defeated by Travis Hasson from San Diego State 7-6, 6-1.

In doubles play, the team of Ward/Vilms as well as White and Harbach received a bye in the first round. Ward/Vilms will play Ronald Rugimbana and Marws Burntson from Boise State. The team of Losee/Lozano advanced to the second round by defeating Andy Madersbacher and Clayton Thomas of Utah State 9-7. They will next play Jens Bolleyer and Dominquez of New Mexico State.

The tournament will run through Sunday.