Alex Arovin begins play Monday in Qualifying Rounds

TULSA, Okla. -- It took opponents seeded among the top players in the field to eliminate Tennessee Tech entries Eduardo Mena and Alberto Esteban at the ITA All-America Championships Pre-Qualifying rounds Sunday.

Mena claimed a pair of victories against high profile foes in the first and second rounds, before 13th seeded Nick Horton of North Carolina State eliminated Tech's newcomer. In the first round, Mena defeated Florida's Oliver Landert in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. That pitted him against Stephan Logpnjic of Indiana in the second round, and Mena outlasted the hard-hitting Hoosier in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Sophomore Alberto Estaban also claimed a straight set win in his opening match, downing Peter Molloy of Southern Illinois, 6-3, 6-2. That lifted Esteban into a second round contest with seventh-seeded John Patrick Mullane of Michigan State, and Esteban pushed his Big Ten rival to the limit twice, falling 7-5, 7-6 (3).

While that pair is finished with ITA play at the Pre-Qualifying rounds, another Golden Eagle is in Tulsa with coach Kenny Doyle. Alex Arovin, ranked 94th nationally, will play in the Qualiying rounds beginning Monday.

ITA All-America Championships Pre-Qualifying

1^st round - Eduardo Mena def. Oliver Landert (Florida), 7-5, 6-4
2^nd round – Eduardo Meno def. Stephan Lugonjic (Indiana), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
3^rd round – (13) Nick Horton (North Carolina State) def. Eduardo Mena, 6-2, 6-1

1^st round - Alberto Esteban def. Peter Molloy (SIU), 6-3, 6-2
2^nd round – (7) John Patrick Mullane (Michigan State) def. Alberto Esteban, 7-5, 7-6 (3)