Fresno State Athletics
Modoc, Almada Prepare for NCAA Doubles Tournament
5/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
May 12, 2003
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NCAA SINGLES AND DOUBLES TOURNAMENT
Where: Athens, Ga. (University of Georgia)
When: May 21-25
Draw: Brackets announced May 20.
NCAA Tournament On Deck
The team portion of Fresno State's season ended Sunday with a 4-0 loss to fifth-seeded Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Stanford, Calif. The Bulldogs (17-8) advanced by defeating Arizona State 4-2 in the first round. The win against ASU continued what has been the greatest single-season turnaround in program history. Fresno State was 7-16 a year ago but enjoyed an 11-win improvement in 2002-03.
Almada, Modoc to Play in NCAA Doubles Tournament
The doubles team of Sergiu Modoc and Hector Almada have parlayed their successful season into a spot in the NCAA Doubles Tournament, which begins May 21 at the University of Georgia. It marks the first NCAA individual appearance for either player. Modoc and Almada are 15-5 on the year and are ranked 21st in the nation.
Quite a Turnaround
Fresno State suffered one of its toughest ever seasons last year, going 7-16 in Brad Dancer's first campaign at the helm. But the Bulldogs rebounded strong this season, going 18-9 and returning to the NCAA's following last year's absence. The 11-win improvement is the best in program history. Fresno State also climbed to No. 38 in the national rankings earlier this year, the team's highest since the end of the 2000-01 season.
Almada, Suta, Modoc Receive All-WAC Honors
Hector Almada, Stefan Suta and Sergiu Modoc all were honored on the All-WAC team. Almada and Modoc, currently ranked 21st in the nation, were named first-team all-league in doubles. The duo has racked up a 15-4 record this year playing all but one match at No. 1 doubles. Suta, currently 29-10 (16-9 dual), and Almada were both selected to the All-WAC's second team in singles. Suta is one win away from becoming just the third player ever to win 30 singles matches in one season.
Suta Makes History
Stefan Suta reached an exclusive club last weekend when he defeated Arizona State's Clinton Letcher in straight sets. It was Suta's 30th singles victory of the year, making him just the third Bulldog ever to win that many matches. He joins Fredrik Giers, who in 1995-96 set the single-season record with 38, and Ryan Juinio, who won 33 in 1993-94.
Players Mentioned
