March 22, 2001

BOCA RATON, FL -

Florida Atlantic University cruised to two victories Thursday to improve to 13-3 on the season. The Owls defeated Army 6-1 before knocking off the University of Massachusetts 7-0. The wins extend FAU's winning streak to seven.

Against Army, the Owls clawed their way through doubles to take the first point. FAU won at no. 1 and no. 3 to take a 1-0 lead. The only blemish in singles for FAU was just the second loss of the year for Doug Devriendt at that position. He fell to Army's Marshall Clay 7-5, 6-4. Yalin Bilgin, Martin Jirak, Andre Buzzoni, Sandro Spotti, and Kodi Lewis followed with victories.

Against UMass, FAU's Ernest Diaz made his singles debut with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Bill Greener at no. 6. Bilgin, Jirak, and Buzzoni all moved up a spot to claim victories after Devriendt was given the match off.

FAU started the match with the Minutemen by taking their 15th straight doubles point. The Owls only loss at doubles came in their season-opener at Miami.

The victories on Thursday came one day after the latest rankings were released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The Owls, who were ranked 58th in last week's poll, inexplicably dropped 15 spots to no. 73 despite not suffering a loss. The ITA says the latest poll is the first this year administered strictly by a computer and not by committee vote.

Overall, Florida Atlantic has won 12 of its past 13 matches. The Owls next host Auburn-Montgomery Saturday at 10:00am.

(FAU 6, Army 1)

Singles

1. Marshall Clay (A) d. Doug Devriendt (FAU) 7-5, 6-4.

2. Yalin Bilgin (FAU) d. Kent Ball (A) 6-1, 7-5.

3. Martin Jirak (FAU) d. John Sabia (A) 7-6, 6-1.

4. Andre Buzzoni (FAU) d. Sonny Avichal (A) 6-0, 6-1.

5. Sandro Spotti (FAU) Arnaldo Albornoz (A) 6-2, 6-4.

6. Kodi Lewis (FAU) d. Andrew Burdette (A) 6-1, 6-7, 7-5.

Doubles

1. Bilgin/Jirak (FAU) d. Burdette/Clay (A) 8-4.

2. A. Albornoz/Sabia (A) d. Devreindt/Paiz (FAU) 8-6.

3. Faerman/Spotti (FAU) d. Avichal/Matthew Thinnes (A) 8-6.

(FAU 7, UMass 0)

Singles

1. Yalin Bilgin (FAU) d. Steve Prisco (UM) 6-1, 6-2.

2. Martin Jirak (FAU) d. Brent Davis (UM) 6-1, 6-4.

3. Andre Buzzoni (FAU) d. Will Shaw (UM) 6-1, 6-1.

4. Cristian Paiz (FAU) d. Todd Champeau (UM) 6-2, 6-1.

5. Kodi Lewis (FAU) d. Rory Theis (UM) 6-3, 4-6, (10-3)TB

6. Ernest Diaz (FAU) d. Bill Greener (UM) 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles

1. Devriendt/Paiz (FAU) d. Davis/Prisco (UM) 8-2.

2. Faerman/Spotti (FAU) d. Champeau/Shaw (UM) 8-1.

3. Cruz/Lewis (FAU) d. Greener/Theis (UM) 9-8.