ATHENS, Ga. – Playing in just the second tournament of his college career, Vanderbilt freshman Alex Zotov continued his strong play on Sunday at the Southern Intercollegiates by posting two more victories and finishing second in his division.
Zotov’s performance highlighted another successful day for the Vanderbilt men’s tennis team, which finished the day with a 4-2 mark in singles play.
In addition to Zotov’s victories in singles play, the Commodores earned two victories in consolation play.
On Sunday, Zotov posted two victories and ran his tournament record to 5-0 before falling in the finals of the Division III Singles bracket. In the finals, Zotov won the first set over Virginia Tech’s Sebastian Jacques before losing the final two sets and the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Zotov advanced to the finals by posting a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Samford’s Hank Grant in the quarterfinals, and a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over South Florida’s Jamal Adderley in the semifinals.
With the format of the tournament calling for just two rounds of singles consolation play, the Commodores wrapped up consolation play with two victories on Sunday.
Ryan Preston earned his second win in the Division I Consolation bracket with a three-set victory over Florida State’s Clint Bowles. After losing the first set, Preston rallied for a 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-6 win.
Adam Baker earned his second victory in the Division II Consolation bracket with a 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 win over Ivan Besancon of Freed-Hardeman.
After earning a win in straight sets on Saturday, James Moye was downed by Charleston’s Steven Myers, 6-2, 6-4, in the Division III Consolation bracket.
In doubles play, Vanderbilt’s duo of Preston and Andy Pulido fell in the round of 16 in the Division I Doubles bracket on Sunday. Preston and Pulido fell 8-5 to Memphis’ team of Narasimhan/Ramsay.
In the Division II Doubles bracket, Florida’s team of Cash/Mulligan had a walkover victory over Vanderbilt’s team of Scott Lieberman and Zotov in the round of 16.
Vanderbilt will next compete Oct. 1-7 at the ITA All-America Championships in Tulsa, Okla.
Division III Singles
Quarterfinals
Alex Zotov (VU) def. Hank Grant (Samford) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
Semifinals
Alex Zotov (VU) def. Jamal Adderley (South Florida) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
Finals
Sebastian Jacques (Virginia Tech) def. Alex Zotov (VU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
Division I Singles Consolation
Round of 16
Ryan Preston (VU) def. Clint Bowles (Florida State) 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-6
Division II Singles Consolation
Round of 16
Adam Baker (VU) def. Ivan Besancon (Freed-Hardeman) 6-3, 4-6, 10-4
Division III Singles Consolation
Round of 16
Steven Myers (Charleston) def. James Moye (VU) 6-2, 6-4
Division I Doubles
Round of 16
Narasimhan/Ramsay (Memphis) def. Pulido/Preston (VU) 8-5
Division II Doubles
Round of 16
Cash/Mulligan (Florida) def. Lieberman/Zotov (VU) w/o
