All Three Sooners Headed to Quarterfinals

ATHENS, Ga. – Three University of Oklahoma men's tennis players advanced to the quarterfinals of Division I singles of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships in Athens, Ga., Saturday.

Junior Axel Alvarez, sophomore Alex Ghilea and redshirt senior Nick Papac all won two matches on Saturday to give the Sooners three players in the eight-man quarterfinal round.

“All three of our guys won both their matches today,” said associate head coach Bo Hodge. “We have three guys in the quarterfinals which is quite an accomplishment. Axel and Alex both took care of their business and won in straight sets. It took Nick Papac almost four hours to win his second match. I can't say enough about the kid. His hard work is paying off and he truly represents what Oklahoma Tennis is all about.”

Papac defeated Kris Yee of Vanderbilt 5-7, 7-5, 7-6. It was the second three-set match of the day for Papac who also defeated No. 5 seed and 50th ranked Ben Wagland of host school Georgia 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 Saturday morning.

On the same side of the bracket, Ghilea defeated No. 16 seed Aron Hiltzik of Illinois in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. Ghilea had advanced to the round of 16 after his second round opponent withdrew.

Alvarez, the No. 1 overall seed, made quick work of his third round opponent Jess Jones of Tennessee. Alvarez won in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.

All quarterfinal matches will begin Sunday morning at 10 a.m. CT. Alvarez will face Paul Oosterbaan of Georgia, Ghilea will see Pablo Gor of Armstrong and Papac is slated to play Aleks Vukic of Illinois. Semifinal play is then scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT.

For more tournament information visit: http://bit.ly/1qTG0MD

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