VU’s Harris Ends NCAA Run, Career In Quarterfinals

VU’s Harris Ends NCAA Run, Career In Quarterfinals

5/29/2004

VU’s Harris Ends NCAA Run, Career In Quarterfinals

TULSA, Okla. — Vanderbilt senior Chad Harris ended his Commodore career Saturday with a 6-2, 6-1 loss to 20th-ranked Gabor Zoltan Pelva of Auburn in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Tournament.

Harris finished his collegiate tennis career with 101 total singles wins — the most in Vanderbilt history. By winning three matches this week, he became the first Commodore to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Tournament.

After missing most of the fall season recovering from back surgery, Harris started the spring campaign by sharing the Singles Championship at the SEC Coaches Indoor Classic. Harris posted 10 wins over players ranked in the ITA’s top 50 this season.

The Commodores advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament during all four of Harris’ seasons, including an appearance in the NCAA Championship match in 2003. A native of Aurora, Colo., Harris helped lead the Commodores to 68 dual-match wins during his tenure in Nashville.

Chad Harris at the NCAA Singles Championships
Round of 64: def. No. 100 Jamie Cerretani (Brown), 6-1, 6-4
Round of 32: def. No. 13 Lester Cook (Texas A&M), 7-6, 7-5
Round of 16: def. No. 23 Izak van der Merwe (Old Dominion), 6-4, 7-6
Quarterfinals: lost to No. 20 Gabor Zoltan Pelva (Auburn), 2-6, 1-6