Thursday, October 09, 2008

TULSA, Okla. (October 9, 2008) - ETSU men's tennis senior Enrique Olivares (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) continued his amazing run during the fall season advancing to the Round of 16 at the D'Novo/ITA All-American , in Tulsa, Okla., Thursday.

In a tournament that features the top 40 ITA players in the nation, the No. 31^st ranked Olivares dropped Ohio State's Balazs Novak 6-3, 6-2 during the Round of 64, before taking on 2008 NCAA runner-up John-Patrick (J.P.) Smith of Tennessee. As ETSU fans would recall, it was Smith that knocked out Olivares in the Round of 16 of the NCAA Singles Championships last May.

In the rematch Olivares would take it to Smith, dropping the 10^th ranked Volunteer in straight sets.

"Every tournament Enrique (Olivares) continues to amaze me," said head coach Yaser Zaatini. "J.P. Smith is one of the top players in the country and last May he really beat Enrique pretty easily. For Enrique to come back today and really take control was really astonishing. I thought he really gave Smith trouble with every aspect of his game, showing no weakness during the match."

With the win Olivares advances to play Florida State's Clint Bowles, in Friday's main draw.

"For Enrique to continue to play like this only reflects what type of person he is," said Zaatini. "Not only is Enrique a great student-athlete that makes excellent grades, but he's a person that the school and community can be proud of. As a player and person I don't know anyone that has worked a harder for the success people are seeing now. If anyone deserves this achievement both on and off the court its him."

For more results as Olivares continues his run in the ITA D'Novo/ITA All-American Championships please visit www.ETSUBUCS.com or www.ITATENNIS.com.