BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Play in the main singles and doubles draws don’t begin until Friday, but Vanderbilt’s men’s tennis team is already off to a strong start at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships.
With three players competing in the qualifying draw on Thursday, the Commodores earned three wins to finish the day with a 3-1 record.
Junior Alex Zotov and sophomore Alex DiValerio are one win away from advancing to the main singles draw after posting wins following first round byes. Also earning a win was senior James Moye, who was eliminated after losing his second round match in qualifying.
Zotov cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jeremy Bonnevalle of East Tennessee State. DiValerio also posted a fairly easy victory as he topped Murray State’s Jorge Caetano, 6-2, 6-2. Zotov and Divalerio will play their final qualifying matches Friday morning with hopes of advancing to the main draw.
Unlike his two teammates, Moye did not receive a bye in the first round. Instead, he defeated MTSU’s Kyle Wishing, 7-6, 6-3 in round one before falling to Indiana’s Will Kendall, 6-1, 7-6 (3).
In addition to the final round of qualifying taking place on Friday, the main draw in doubles and singles will also begin. Three of Vanderbilt’s four doubles teams have a first round bye and will not begin play until Saturday. Playing Friday will be VU’s doubles team of DiValerio and Moye.
Qualifying Singles
First Round
James Moye (VU) def. Kyle Wishing (MTSU), 7-6, 6-3
Second Round
Will Kendall (IU) def. James Moye (VU), 6-1, 7-6 (3)
Alex Zotov (VU) def. Jeremy Bonnevalle (ETSU), 6-3, 6-2
Alex DiValerio (VU) def. Jorge Caetano (Murray State), 6-2, 6-2
