SAN ANTONIO, Tx - The Austin College Kangaroos Men's Tennis Team began play at the annual ITA Southwest Regional Championships, hosted this year by Trinity University.
Play began with "Qualifying matches" for players and doubles teams deemed by the selection committee to be on the cusp of making the main draw field. Two 'Roos singles players were given the opportunity to play their way in to the competitive 64-person "A-Draw," and one doubles team battled for their way into the championship round of 32 "A-Draw."
Erik Meendsen started out slow in his first set against Beckenbach of Texas Lutheran, but found his stride and began hitting his opponent to both corners by dictating the point. Meendsen won in a super-tiebreaker (first to 10 points; win by 2) and earned his spot amongs the Southwest Region's elite.
Preston Glasscock played his griding, frustrating style in the first set, winning 7-5. But the Junior-Transfer played right into the hands of his opponent in the second set and deciding super-tiebreaker." Glasscock was named the #4 seed in the "C-Singles" field of 32.
Meendsen was back on the court with doubles partner Kenneth Hardy before the night was over, but the duo was not able to overcome a late break of serve against a tough UT-Tyler opponent. They too were considered competitive enough to earn a #4 seed in the "B-Draw" round of 32.
Play begins tomorrow morning for "A-Draw" singles, where 3 'Roos were given automatic berths by committee selection.
A/B/C Qualifying Singles
R1 Erik Meendsen (AC) def. Eric Beckenbach (TLU) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6)
R1 Marcell Lewis (ETBU) def. Preston Glasscock (AC) 5-7, 6-0, 1-0 (9)
A/B Qualifying Doubles
R1 Jake Cunningham/Cameron McCarthy (UTT) def. Kenneth Hardy/Erik Meendsen (AC) 8-6