MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March  1, 2009) - Despite leading 3-1 early in the match the ETSU men's tennis team could not hold on to its lead as Western Michigan stormed back from its deficit to upset the No. 45th-ranked Bucs, 4-3 Sunday afternoon at the Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis, Minn. With the loss ETSU falls to 1-6 on the season, while Western Michigan improved to 9-6 overall.

After senior captains Enrique Olivares (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) and Alex Ahlgren (Tyerso, Sweden) defeated WMU's Michael Calderone and Kazuya Komada in the opening doubles contest, the Broncos rallied to take the final two pairs matches giving the Western Michigan an early 1-0 lead.

However, that early lead wouldn't last long as ETSU freshman Robin Akser (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) dropped Brad Noel, 6-2, 6-0, while No.15th-ranked Olivares dominated his contest against Kevin Hayward, 6-3, 6-3. Then just like he has all spring freshman Sander Gille (Kuringen, Belgium) gave the Bucs a three-point advantage dropping Casey Cullen, 6-3, 6-1.

Unfortunately for the Bucs this was the last lead ETSU would see during the match as the Broncos responded by winning the final three singles matches as sophomores Charles Bottoni (Bois Guillaume, France) and Grega Teraz (Mojstrana,, Slovenia) in addition to Ahlgren all fell.  

The Bucs will return to action with their first Atlantic Sun Conference matches of the season next weekend as ETSU host both Lipscomb and Belmont at the Buddy Hartsell Tennis Center in Johnson City, Tenn.

Singles

1. #15 Enrique Olivares (ETSU) def. Kevin Hayward (WMU) 6-3, 6-3
2. Kazuva Komada (WMU) def. Charles Bottoni (ETSU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Michael Calderone (WMU) def. Grega Teraz (ETSU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
4. Sander Gille (ETSU) def. Casey Cullen (WMU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Robin Akser (ETSU) def. Brad Noel (WMU) 6-2, 6-0

6. Pablo Olivarez (WMU) def. Alex Ahlgren (ETSU) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles
1. Enrique Olivares/Alex Algren (ETSU) def. Michael Calderone/Kazuya Komada (WMU) 8-6
2. Kevin Hayward/Zeyad Montasser (WMU) def. Robin Akser/Daniel Isaza (ETSU) 8-6
3. Casey Cullen/Pablo Olivarez (WMU) def. Grega Teraz/Charles Bottoni (ETSU) 8-3

Match Notes:
Western Michigan 9-6
East Tennessee State 1-6; National ranking #45
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,1,4,2,3,6)