February 28, 1999

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State won its first match of a double-header this morning, defeating Appalachian State, 7-0, at the Wolfpack Tennis Complex.

It is the first shutout for the Wolfpack this season. NC State won all six singles matches in straight sets. Roberto Bracone remained undefeated at No. 1 singles, defeating Frank Connor, 6-1, 6-2. Eric Jackson followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Matt Lucas. Shaun Thomas won at No. 3, beating the Mountaineers' Marcin Zabor, 6-3, 6-1. Jeff Smith beat Dan Holman, 6-3, 6-2, while Devang Desai won his match over John Cunningham, 7-5, 6-1. Ryan Boward, a freshman, won his first meet of the spring, posting a 7-6, 7-6 win over Craig Rice.

The Wolfpack won two of three matches in doubles play. Jackson and Desai defeated Connor and Lucas, 8-4. Bracone and Thomas also won their doubles match, beating Rice and Zabor, 8-1. Cunningham and Smith beat NC State's tandem of Brian Coman and Smith, 9-8 (7-2) at No. 3 doubles.

NC State 7, Appalachian State 0

SINGLES
No. 1  Roberto Bracone (NCS) d. Frank Connor, 6-1, 6-2
No. 2  Eric Jackson (NCS) d. Matt Lucas, 6-2, 6-2
No. 3  Shaun Thomas (NCS) d. Marcin Zabor, 6-3, 6-1
No. 4  Jeff Smith (NCS) d. Dan Holman, 6-3, 6-2
No. 5  Devang Desai (NCS) d. John Cunningham, 7-5, 6-1
No. 6  Ryan Boward (NCS) d. Craig Rice, 7-6, 7-6

DOUBLES
No. 1  Jackson/Desai (NCS) d. Connor/Lucas, 8-4
No. 2  Bracone/Thomas (NCS) d. Rice/Zabor, 8-1
No. 3  Cunningham/Smith (ASU) d. Cowman/Smith, 9-8 (7-2)

NC State then improved its record to 6-1 during the spring this afternoon, defeating High Point, 5-2, at the Wolfpack Tennis Complex.

The Wolfpack picked up four points in singles play, including wins by Roberto Bracone and Brian Cowman in straight sets. Bracone beat Erik Pettersson at No. 1, 6-2, 6-2, while Cowman beat Vincent Pulpa at No. 6, also by a score of 6-2, 6-2. In addition to Bracone and Cowman, Eric Jackson and Shaun Thomas each won matches for NC State.

In doubles play, Jackson and Devang Desai are a perfect 6-0, after defeating Johkim Pettersson and Jakob Widange, 8-5. Bracone teamed with Shaun Thomas to win at No. 2, nearly shuting out Peter Mellstrom and Greberg, 8-1.

NC State's next match is Wednesday March 3, when they host Charleson Southern at 2:30 at the Wolfpack Tennis Complex.

NC State 5, High Point 2

SINGLES
No. 1   Roberto Bracone (NCS) d. Erik Pettersson, 6-2, 6-2
No. 2   Eric Jackson (NCS) d. Johkim Pettersson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
No. 3   Shaun Thomas (NCS) d. Taaui Suorsa, 2-6, 7-5, 6-0
No. 4   Peter Mellstrom (HP) d. Jeff Smith, 7-5, 7-5
No. 5   Jakob Widange (HP) d. Devang Desai, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
No. 6   Brian Cowman (NCS) d. Vincent Pulpa, 6-2, 6-2

DOUBLES
No. 1  Jackson/Desai (NCS) d. J. Pettersson/Widange, 8-5
No. 2  Bracone/Thomas (NCS) d. Mellstrom/Greberg, 8-1
No. 3  E. Pettersson/Suorsa (HP) d. Cowman/Smith, 8-5