Hogs close fall season in quarters at National Indoors

Charlottesville, Va. – Blake Strode played well with mixed results on day two of the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in the consolation singles tournament, extending his fall season into the quarterfinals in a victory over Martin Zimmerman of Denver, 6-3, 6-3, but wouldn’t advance any further, as Virginia’s Michael Shabaz eliminated the Hog, 6-4, 6-4. Now Strode, and his teammates look to a spring season that head coach Robert Cox is very excited about.

“Blake played well in a national event,” Cox said. “He just got beat by a better player today; Shabaz was on fire. I’m really pleased with how Hogan and Strode played this weekend and how the team played all fall. As a team we made some big strides this fall and are moving in the right direction going into spring. Dual meets are what college tennis is all about and I’m very excited about what lies ahead for us this season.”

For the second time in as many days, Razorback Matt Hogan took on a top 20 opponent and was eliminated, despite quality play on his part. Dominic Inglot of Virginia ended Hogan’s fall season in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, but Cox was encouraged by what he saw from Hogan not only at National Indoors but throughout the fall.

“Hogan had a breakout season this fall, and it was great for him to be a part of this national event among some of the best players in the country,” Cox said.

The Hogs will be back in action on January 15, 2009 at the SEC Indoor Invitational in Lexington, Ky. For updated results and complete men’s tennis coverage, log on to www.ArkansasRazorbacks.com.