September 27, 2003
 
 
Men's Tennis Wins Ferrum Fall Invitational
Panthers Win Four Singles Titles, One Doubles Title
 
Ferrum, Va. - The Ferrum College men's tennis team kicked off its 2003-04 season in style this weekend, defeating Bridgewater College 7-0 Sept. 26 then winning the Ferrum Fall Invitational Sept. 27.  The Panthers earned five titles at the tournament, four in singles and one in doubles.

Ferrum scored 37 points to outdistance runner-up Lynchburg College (22), Emory & Henry (21), Roanoke College (16), and Bridgewater College (4).  Ferrum secured four singles titles and shared one doubles title.  Emory & Henry had two singles titles and shared a doubles title, Lynchburg had one doubles title, and Roanoke had one doubles title.

Sophomore Gabe Zakkak (Midland, Va./Liberty), pictured above, won the title at #1 singles and teamed with freshman Ethan Hicks (Winchester, Va./Handley) to place second at #1 doubles.  Hicks won the #4 singles title, while sophomores Matt Brantley (Norlina, N.C./Warren County) and Erich Trier (Middleburg, Va./Loudoun Valley) won titles at #5 and #6 singles, respectively.

Trier, pictured at left, and freshman Wilson Paine (Maryville, Tenn./Maryville) shared the #3 doubles title with Emory & Henry College's Al Morris and Neil Bishop.  The 8-game pro set was called due to lightning in the area with Trier-Paine leading 7-4.  The match was declared a draw, with both teams sharing the title.  Paine, playing unattached in the #4 singles spot, placed second to teammate Hicks.  Brantley and sophomore Paul Matthews (Glen Allen, Va./J.R. Tucker) placed 2nd at #2 doubles.  Matthews was third at #3 singles as well.

In the win over Bridgewater, Ferrum won all six singles and all three doubles matches.  For more information, please contact the Ferrum College sports information office a (540) 365-4306.

 

 

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