MSU's Bjelica Advances At NCAA Singles Championship; Frayssinoux Falls

Wednesday, May 21

Tulsa, Okla.

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Mississippi State

NCAA Individual Championships

MSU's Bjelica Advances At NCAA Singles Championship; Frayssinoux Falls

May 21, 2008 | Men's Tennis

By: hailstate.com

TULSA, Okla. - Mississippi State senior Ivan Bjelica rallied to defeat Virginia's Treat Huey in his first-round match Wednesday at the NCAA Singles Championship in Tulsa, Okla. Bjelica, ranked 12th nationally and a 9-16 seed in the tournament, topped 28th-ranked Huey to advance to Thursday's second round.

After dropping a tight first set, 6-4, Bjelica would rally to take the second 6-3. In the decisive third set, the Belgrade, Serbia native held off Huey to take a 6-4 victory and clinch the match. With the win, Bjelica advances to face Ohio State's 32nd-ranked Stephen Moneke in the second round Thursday.

With the win, Bjelica upped his season's record to 17-6 as he became the first Bulldog to advance to the second round of NCAA Singles play since former State All-American Romain Ambert did so in 2003.

Bjelica will meet Ohio State's 32nd-ranked Steven Moneke in Thursday's second round at 10 a.m. CT.

Senior Philippe Frayssinoux was also in NCAA Singles action on Wednesday but dropped his first round matchup with 13th-ranked Jean-Yves Aubone of Florida State. Ranked 49th nationally, Frayssinoux dropped the first set 6-3 before rallying for a 7-5 second-set win. However in the third set, Aubone outlasted Frayssinoux 6-3 to advance. Frayssinoux ends his collegiate career with 83 singles victories, just three shy of 10th best all-time at MSU.

NCAA Singles Championship-First Round
5/21/08 - Tulsa, Okla.

First Round - #12 Ivan Bjelica (MSU) def. #28 Treat Huey (UVA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; #13 Jean-Yves Aubone (FSU) def. #49 Philippe Frayssinoux (MSU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.