April 20, 2001

MACON, GA -

Florida Atlantic University, the top-seed, cruised past Samford University, 4-0, Friday morning in a quarterfinal match at the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament in Macon, GA. FAU, ranked 51st in the nation and the top-seed at the tournament, improved to 19-4 and will next face fifth-seeded Stetson in a semifinal match Saturday morning at 10:00am.

FAU began the match by taking the doubles point with victories at no. 1 and no. 3. The tandem of Yalin Bilgin and Martin Jirak claimed the first victory with an 8-5 decision over Samford's Raphael Bohli and David Misner at no. 1. The Owls secured the doubles point when Fabio Faerman and Sandro Spotti defeated the Bulldogs' Travis Johnson and Colin Thompson 8-1 at no. 3. The no. 2 match featuring FAU's Doug Devriendt and Cristian Paiz versus Samford's Chuck Haddox and Clive Yeo did not finish.

In singles play, FAU quickly disposed of Samford, the eighth-seed, with victories by Spotti, Jirak, and Paiz. Spotti's 6-1, 6-0 victory over Thompson at no. 5 gave FAU a 2-0 lead. Moments later, the Owls took a 3-0 lead when Jirak defeated Haddox 6-0, 6-3 at no. 3. FAU clinched the match when Paiz defeated Johnson 6-4, 6-0 at no. 6. Matches at no. 1, no. 2, and no. 4 featuring Devriendt, Bilgin, and Andre Buzzoni, respectively, did not finish.

The tournament runs through Sunday with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

FAU 4, Samford 0

Singles

1. Doug Devriendt (FAU) vs David Misner (SU), DNF.

2. Yalin Bilgin (FAU) vs Raphael Bohli (SU), DNF.

3. Martin Jirak (FAU) d. Chuck Haddox (SU) 6-0, 6-3.

4. Andre Buzzoni (FAU) vs. Clive Yeo (SU), DNF.

5. Sandro Spotti (FAU) d. Colin Thompson (SU) 6-1, 6-0.

6. Cristian Paiz (FAU) d. Travis Johnson (SU) 6-4, 6-0.

Doubles

1. Bilgin/Jirak (FAU) d. Bohli/Misner (SU) 8-5.

2. Devriendt/Paiz (FAU) vs Haddox/Yeo (SU), DNF.

3. Fabio Faerman/Spotti (FAU) d. Johnson/Thompson (SU) 8-1.