Vargas Shines In First Day Of Region V Championshps

Tulsa, Okla. —— Cesar Vargas won two matches to advance to the round of 16 in the main draw, highlighting the Nebraska men’s tennis team’s first day of action at the Omni Hotels Region V Championship in Tulsa on Thursday.

Vargas, a senior from Mazatlan, Mexcio, opened the day with a straight-set victory over Eduardo Pignatari of Creighton, 6-1, 6-1 at the Michael Case Tennis Center at the University of Tulsa. Vargas then fought back after dropping the first set to Andy Martin of Illinois State to claim a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory and move one match from the quarterfinals. Vargas’ win earned him a spot in the main draw against Ben Cappucciti of Illinois State on Friday.

Also competing for the Huskers on Thursday was junior Ryan Jay and sophomore Jose Rivera.

Jay, a native of Casper, Wyo., gave a valiant effort in a three-set match before falling by a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 score to Derrek Boland of Evansville. In the consolation-qualifying round, Jay dropped a 6-3, 6-3 decision to Kirk Schuler of Drake.

Rivera dropped his first match of the tournament in a tightly contested match, falling to Hunter Benson of Arkansas, 7-5, 6-3. The Mexico City, Mexico, native also fell in the consolation-qualifying round, as Rivera dropped a 6-2, 6-2 decision to Brad Prigmore of Oklahoma.

Vargas will continue at the Region V Championships in the round of 16 main draw on Friday.

Qualifying Rounds
October 17, 2002

Round of 64 -
Cesar Vargas (Nebraska) def. Eduardo Pignatari (Creighton), 6-1, 6-1

Round of 32 -
Cesar Vargas (Nebraska) def. Andy Martin (Illinois State), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
Derrek Boland (Evansville) def. Ryan Jay (Nebraska), 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
Hunter Benson (Arkansas) def. Jose Rivera (Nebraska), 7-5, 6-3

Qualifying Consolation
Third Round
Kirk Schuler (Drake) def. Ryan Jay (Nebraska), 6-3, 6-3
Brad Prigmore (Oklahoma) def. Jose Rivera (Nebraska), 6-2, 6-2