FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Holden, Sports Info. Director
(540) 365-4306

February 21, 2004
 
                                                                                                                                   Complete Box Score
Men's Tennis Defeats N.C. Wesleyan
Brantley, Trier Remain Undefeated in Singles
 
Ferrum, Va. -- The Ferrum College men's tennis team ran its record to 3-0 with a USA South Athletic Conference win over visiting North Carolina Wesleyan College this afternoon.  The Panthers won all six singles and two of the three doubles matches to defeat the Battling Bishops 7-0.  The win is Ferrum's sixth straight win, dating back to April 12, 2003.
 
Sophomore Gabe Zakkak (Midland, Va./Liberty) was a straight sets winner at #1 singles, defeating Dylan Knox 6-0, 6-1.  Zakkak was the league's Rookie of the Year last season, going 22-5 at #1 singles.  Freshman Walter Basten (Lynchburg, Va./New Vistas) won 6-3, 6-1 over NC Wesleyan's Eric Allen.
 
Sophomores Matt Brantley (Norlina, N.C./Warren County) and Erich Trier (Middleburg, Va./Loundoun Valley) remained undefeated in singles this year with straight set wins.  Brantley beat Zach Marks 6-3, 6-4 and Trier beat Daniel Pace 6-0, 6-0.  Both players are 7-0 this season in singles.

Freshman Wilson Paine (Maryville, Tenn./Maryville) defeated Jenna Gollub 7-6, 6-2.  The Bishops discontinued women's tennis this season due to insufficient interest, with Gollub joining the men's team for the remainder of the year.  Sophomore David Gartrell (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun Valley) edged Mark Templeton 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in a tight three-set match.

In doubles, Zakkak and Basten teamed to win 8-2 over Knox and Gollub.  Brantley and Trier also won in doubles, picking up an 8-6 win over Marks and Pace at #2 doubles.  Allen and Templeton won 8-2 over Paine and Gartrell at #3 doubles.

Ferrum improves to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the USA South.  NC Wesleyan is now 0-1 overall and 0-1 in league play.  The Panthers will be back in action Wednesday, Feb. 25, when they play at Averett University in Danville, Virginia.  The Cougars are defending Dixie Conference (now USA South) Tournament champions.  For more information, please contact the Ferrum Sports Information office at (540) 365-4306.
 
 
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