March 22, 1999

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State head coach Eric Hayes shook up the lineup and the men's tennis team responded, shutting out Maryland, 7-0, in its ACC season-opener this afternoon at the Wolfpack Tennis Complex.

The Wolfpack won all six singles matches, led by 6-0, 6-0 wins from Roberto Bracone at No. 1, Eric Jackson at No. 2 and Jeff Smith at No. 5. Freshmen Ryan Boward and Bryce McGrory also won at No. 4 and 6, respectively, for NC State. Boward beat John Murchison, 6-2, 6-4, and McGrory beat Dan Kenshalo, 6-2, 6-2. Shaun Thomas rounded out singles play, defeating Kyle Cerminara, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 3.

Bracone teamed with Thomas to defeat T.J. Klier and Murchison, 8-0 in doubles. Jackson and Smith beat Larry Chou and Cerminara, 8-1. Boward teamed with fellow freshman Deval Desai, and beat Kenshalo and James Legat, 8-3.

NC State is 10-4 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. Their next match is Thursday against Florida International at the Wolfpack Tennis Complex at 1:00. The Pack resumes conference play on Friday, hosting Florida State at 2:00.

NC State 7, Maryland 0

SINGLES
No. 1  Roberto Bracone (NCS) d. T.J. Klier, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2  Eric Jackson (NCS) d. Larry Chou, 6-0, 6-0
No. 3  Shaun Thomas (NCS) d. Kyle Cerminara, 6-2, 6-2
No. 4  Ryan Boward (NCS) d. John Murchison, 6-2, 6-4
No. 5  Jeff Smith (NCS) d. Luan Nguyen, 6-0, 6-0
No. 6  Bryce McGrory (NCS) d. Dan Kenshalo, 6-2, 6-2

DOUBLES
No. 1  Bracone/Thomas (NCS) d. Klier/Murchison, 8-0
No. 2  Jackson/Smith (NCS) d. Chou/Cerminara, 8-1
No. 3  Boward/Deval Desai (NCS) d. Kenshalo/James Legat, 8-3