Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
ITA All-American
Salukis 3-0 through first day of ITA All-American
10/03/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
By Tony McDaniel
SIUSalukis.com
TULSA, OKLA.--
"I am very proud of our guys," Nelson said. "At times we did not play our best, but we survived and advanced."
The Salukis finished a perfect 3-0 in the round of 256 of the ITA All-American's pre-qualifying draw, beating players from the SEC and ACC on the way.
Senior, Jonny Rigby defeated Oral Roberts' Barnabas Koncz 7-5, 6-4. Rigby will face Tennessee Tech's Alberto Esteban tomorrow. Junior, Michal Kianicka kept his momentum going from last weekend's Purdue Fall Invitational with a 7-6 (3), 6-0 victory over Mississippi's Robert Mounger. Kianicka is matched up with Florida State's Terrell Whitehurst in the round of 128.
Junior, Wilder Pimentel kept the wins coming with his 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over North Carolina's Stuart DePaolo. Nelson said it was Pimentel's best match as a Saluki so far. Tomorrow, Pimentel will get his first taste of Missouri Valley Conference action when he faces Wichita State's Jocelyn Devilliers in the round of 128.
The ITA All-American will continue tomorrow with the round of 128 and round of 64.
"We will face extremely tough competition tomorrow and are looking forward to the challenge," Nelson said.
Saturday's Results:
Jonny Rigby def. Barnabas Koncz (Oral Roberts) 7-5, 6-4
Michal Kianicka def. Robert Mounger (Mississippi) 7-6 (3), 6-0
Wilder Pimentel def. Stuart DePaolo (North Carolina) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
