Karner Advances at ITA Region V Championships

Tulsa-- Marcus Karner led the Nebraska men’s tennis team in the first day of the ITA Region V Championships, as he won his first two matches of qualifying Thursday to advance to the round of eight at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

Karner, who was a No. 5 seed, needed three sets to get out of the first round, as he defeated Tim Walter of Arkansas-Little Rock, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 10-7. In the round of 16, Karner came on strong to defeat Rodrigo Borges of SMS in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2

Karl Jones and Jose Rivera also competed in the qualifying round for the Huskers. Jones reached the second round with a convincing 6-3, 6-3, victory over Illinois State’s Tim Link before falling in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, to No. 1-seed Andy Connelly of host Tulsa. Rivera dropped his opening match in a heartbreaker, 7-6, 3-6, 10-7, to Southern Illinois’ Tomas Gonzalez.

Nebraska returns to action on Friday with the remainder of the qualifying round and the start of the main draw. Joerg Barthel, Adrian Szatmary, Jerry Posch and James Clow each open play in the main draw.

ITA Region V Championships
Tulsa, Okla.--Oct. 14, 2004

Singles
Qualifying round of 32
Karl Jones (NU) def. Tim Link (ISU), 6-3, 6-3
No. 5 Marcus Karner (NU) def. Tim Walter (UALR), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 10-7
Tomas Gonzalez (SIU) def. No. 3 Jose Rivera (NU), 7-6, 3-6, 10-7

Qualifying round of 16
No. 1 Andy Connelly (TU) def. Karl Jones (NU), 6-3, 6-1
No. 5 Marcus Karner (NU) def. Rodrigo Borges (SMS), 7-5, 6-2