April 13, 2001

CORAL GABLES, FL -

In its final match of the regular season and one featuring the Owls versus the Owls, no. 63 Florida Atlantic University completed its biggest upset of the year in defeating no. 35 Rice University, 4-1, Friday in Coral Gables. The win improves FAU to 18-4 on the year and sets a new Owls' record for wins in a season.

"Everything that we've been trying to put together did today,' said FAU head coach Mike Wheelen. "The team came of age today."

The match did not start well for FAU as the team dropped the doubles point for only the third time this season. However, Florida Atlantic was able to rally and win the first four singles matches to take the 4-1 victory.

Doug Devriendt, playing at no. 1 for FAU, gained the first point with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Rice's Richard Barker. Martin Jirak followed at no. 3 with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Vuk Rajevac to give FAU a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, in the most dramatic match of the day, FAU's Andre Buzzoni fought off four match points after falling behind 6-4 and 5-1 in the second set. Buzzoni battled back to take the second set tiebreaker and eventually defeated Alexis Pourchet 6-1 in the third set at no. 4. FAU clinched the match when Sandro Spotti defeated Cody Jackson 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 at no. 5. The no. 2 and no. 6 singles matches were not completed.

FAU will next take part in the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament which begins April 19 in Macon, GA. The Owls will be the top-seed and will begin play on April 20.

(#63)-Florida Atlantic 4, (#35)-Rice 1

Singles

1. Doug Devriendt (FAU) d. Richard Barker (RU) 6-2, 6-2.

2. Yalin Bilgin (FAU) vs. Mathias Mathaes (RU), DNF.

3. Martin Jirak (FAU) d. Vuk Rajevac (RU) 6-2, 6-3.

4. Andre Buzzoni (FAU) d. Alexis Pourchet (RU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-1.

5. Sandro Spotti (FAU) d. Cody Jackson (RU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

6. Cristian Paiz (FAU) vs. Fabien Giraud (RU), DNF.

Doubles

1. R. Barker/Rajevac (RU) d. Bilgin/Jirak (FAU) 8-5.

2. Devriendt/Paiz (FAU) d. Mathaes/Pourchet (RU) 9-8.

3. William Barker/Jackson (RU) d. Fabio Faerman/Spotti (FAU) 8-5.