Lozano and Vilms to Represent at Championships

PROVO, Utah (May 21, 2002) ? Carlos Lozano and Gert Vilms, the No. 7 doubles team in the country, will compete Wednesday in the 2002 NCAA Men?s Tennis Championships. Vilms will also compete in the singles draw, which will start Wednesday.

Vilms, a senior from Tallinn, Estonia, finished the season with a 21-10 record in singles this season. Vilms recorded three wins against ranked opponents and went undefeated when he played at the No. 2 position.

Vilms will face Stanford?s David Martin in the first round of the 64-man tournament. Martin knocked off teammate Lozano earlier in the season in three tough sets, so Vilms will have some idea of what to expect. Martin finished the season ranked No. 28 in the country.

In doubles play, Lozano and Vilms performed at an extremely high level for the second consecutive year. They finished this season with a 24-8 record and have combined for a 50-14 record over the past two seasons. The pair earned a spot on the All-Mountain West Conference for the second straight year as well.

Lozano and Vilms will meet a familiar foe, John Fruterro and Robert Kowalczyk of California, the No. 12 doubles team in the country. Lozano and Vilms knocked off the California pair 9-7 in March, but Fruttero/Kowalczyk have slowly moved up the national rankings since then. Lozano and Vilms find themselves in the same bracket as rivals Oliver Maiberger and Ryan Redondo of San Diego State, the No. 3 team in the country.

The Cougars competed as a team in the 2001 NCAA Championships, but lost in the first round to California. Lozano and Vilms hope to advance deep into the 32-team field, and they have an excellent shot at earning All-American status.

Vilms will play Wednesday at noon, but the time for the doubles match Thursday has not been decided. Fans can access live scoring at www.aggieathletics.com for all the matches.