Feb. 26, 2004

Edinburg, Texas - Laredo College (1-1) toughed out a 4-3 win over Texas-Pan American (5-3) at the Orville Cox Tennis Center today. The victory was the first for the Palominos over the Broncs in 23 meetings.

Rehman Esmail (So./Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada/North Carolina State) was a double winner for UTPA today. At Number 2 Doubles, Esmail and Nik Porter (So./Tunbridge Wells, England/Bennett Memorial School) beat Jorge Anda and Rafael Zurita, 9-8. Esmail then beat Todd Hendricks, 6-4, 7-5 at Number 4 Singles.

"I'm at a bit of a loss right now." Said head coach Eduardo Provencio. "I feel like we haven't been up to snuff since after out trip to Kentucky earlier in the year. We had a real fire in Kentucky and that is gone right now. I hope that this is an eye opener for us and will set the tone for the next few matches.

Texas-Pan American is off until March 11 when they return to the Orville Cox Tennis Stadium. The Broncs will be taking on Abilene Christian. The match is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

SINGLES
#1 - Alex Ortega (Laredo) def. Jeremy Salvo (UTPA) 4-1 Retired
#2 - Jorge Anda (Laredo) def. Nik Porter (UTPA) 7-6, 6-1
#3 - Oliver Steil (UTPA) def. Sky Laws (Laredo) 6-3, 6-4
#4 - Rehman Esmail (UTPA) def. Todd Hendricks (Laredo) 6-4, 7-5
#5 - Nathaniel Avila (Laredo) def. Armando Martinez (UTPA) 6-0, 6-1
#6 - Gary Bianco (UTPA) def. Rafael Zurita (Laredo) 6-1, 6-4

DOUBLES
#1 - Laws/Ortega (Laredo) def. Salvo/Steil (UTPA) 8-3
#2 - Esmail/Porter (UTPA) def. Anda/Zurita (Laredo) 9-8
#3 - Avila/Hendricks (Laredo) def. Bianco/Martinez (UTPA) 8-2