May 20, 2008
NCAA Singles Bracket | NCAA Tourney Central | View Preston’s Bio
TULSA, Okla. – Vanderbilt senior Ryan Preston has already accomplished more in his career than most players in Vanderbilt history. On Wednesday, Preston will have an opportunity to add to his extensive resume when he faces top-seeded and defending national champion Somdev Devvarman of Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship.
A first team All-SEC selection in 2008, Preston will face Devvarman at 11:30 a.m. CT at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center. It is the third straight year that Preston has been selected to play in the championships.
“I think the world of him,” head coach Ian Duvenhage said of Preston. “He’s given Vanderbilt so much in his four years. He comes to practice and works hard every day, and he gives 100 percent every time he’s on the court. I hope he goes out with a bang. I think he has a chance to advance far.”
Ranked No. 53 in the nation, Preston earned a trip to the championships by being tabbed as one of 47 at-large selections that make up the field of 64.
Although, it may seem daunting to face the No. 1 seed in the first round, Preston proved earlier this season that he can compete with anyone in the country when he defeated No. 2 Greg Ouellette of Florida. On the year, Preston is 15-16 overall and 11-12 in dual play. Five of his 11 wins in dual play have come over ranked opponents. Preston also clinched Vanderbilt’s wins over No. 21 Alabama and Middle Tennessee State.
Devvarman is 37-1 this season and 24-0 in dual play. His lone loss came to Georgia’s Travis Helgeson in October.
Vanderbilt’s No. 1 player each of the last three years, Preston is 1-2 all-time in his previous two visits to the singles championships. He has been a tough out both years with all three of his matches going three sets. Last season, he fell to No. 16 Bryan Koniecko of Ohio State, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round.
As a sophomore, Preston defeated Charlotte’s Roy Sichel, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, in the first round before falling to No. 111 Sheeva Parbhu of Notre Dame, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, in the second round.