Duke Posts Strong Performance In Mideast Regional Qualifying

Thursday, October 16

Durham, N.C.

All Day

Duke University

Day One

Duke Posts Strong Performance In Mideast Regional Qualifying

10/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - The 2008 Wilson/ITA Mideast Regional qualifying took place on Thursday with Duke earning three singles bids to go along with one doubles bid for the main draw of the tournament.

“Today was a good start to the tournament for our team, particularly in singles,” said head coach Ramsey Smith. “This is a great start for the whole team leading into the main draw matches tomorrow.”

The Blue Devils started the day with victories in all four of its first round matches. Jared Pinsky defeated Alejandro Espitia of N.C. Central 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of qualifying. Freshmen Torsten Wietoska and David Holland each picked up wins in their opening round matches. Wietoska defeated William Lang of William & Mary in three sets 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Holland played his first collegiate tennis match and won in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 over Arthur Takahashi of Winthrop. Sophomore Alain Michel also began the tournament with a win in three sets, defeating Daniel Isazza of East Tennessee State 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

In the second round of qualifying, three of Duke's players earned victories to advance to the main draw of the tournament. Holland won for the second time on Thursday, defeating Kevin Galloway of Clemson 6-3, 6-4. Pinsky also moved forward with a 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 victory against Orcun Seyrek of UNC-Greensboro. Michel claimed a 6-4, 6-2 win against Elon's Alberto Rojas to advance. Wietoska was the only Blue Devil eliminated from the tournament after a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Grega Teraz of ETSU.

“I was proud of how well Alain (Michel) and Jared (Pinsky) competed in tough second round matches,” said Smith. “It was nice to see both of them step up in the clutch moments of their matches. I was also extremely impressed with freshman David Holland who went 3-0 today in his college debut. He has been working real hard in rehab for the last few months in order to get his body in shape to play at the high level he did today. I am very happy for him.”

Duke had one of its two doubles team qualify for the main draw. One of two teams to receive a first round bye, David Holland and Jared Pinsky took full advantage with an 8-4 win over Leander Osorio and Jack Roux of South Carolina-Upstate to move on to the main draw. Aaron Carpenter and Luke Marchese teamed together for the first time and earned an 8-6 win against Pat Fediuk and Mike Nicol of Presbyterian in the first round. However, the two Blue Devils suffered an 8-5 loss to Lang and Ilja Orre of William & Mary in the next round.

The Blue Devils who advanced through qualifying will join several teammates in the main draw. Four singles players were already selected, including Reid Carleton, Kiril Dimitrov, Dylan Arnould and Luke Marchese. Also three doubles teams were already named to the main draw.

The main draw will begin Friday morning with matches taking placed at the Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center in Durham and the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center in Chapell Hill, N.C.

2008 Wilson/ITA Mideast Regional
Duke Final Results - Qualifying Rounds

Singles
Round of 64
Jared Pinsky (Duke) def. Alejandro Espitia (N.C. Central) 6-1, 6-1
Torsten Wietoska (Duke) def. William Lang (William & Mary) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
David Holland (Duke) def. Arthur Takahashi (Winthrop) 6-3, 6-2
Alain Michel (Duke) def. Daniel Isazza (East Tennessee State) 6-3, 1-6, 6-3

Round of 32
Grega Teraz (East Tennessee State) def. Torsten Wietoska (Duke) 6-4, 6-3
David Holland (Duke) def. Kevin Galloway (Clemson) 6-3, 6-4
Jared Pinsky (Duke) def. Orcun Seyrek (UNC-Greensboro) 2-6, 6-0, 6-4
Alain Michel (Duke) def. Alberto Rojas (Elon) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles
Round of 32
Aaron Carpenter & Luke Marchese (Duke) def. Pat Fediuk & Mike Nicol (Presbyterian) 8-6

Round of 16
David Holland & Jared Pinsky (Duke) def. Leander Osorio & Jack Roux (USC-Upstate) 8-4
William Lang & Ilja Orre (William & Mary) def. Aaron Carpenter & Luke Marchese (Duke) 8-5