Binkley/Rutherford Advance to Round of 16

Oct. 21, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - Despite a loss in the main single's draw, Mark Rutherford came out fighting in doubles with partner Brett Binkley at the ITA Midwest Regionals, taking down Ball State's Joe and Jarrod Epkey, 8-6.

"I'm really happy for Brett and Mark," head coach Steve Rodecap said. "I'm not sure Marquette has ever had a team advance to the round of 16. They beat a good team from Ball State. Tomorrow they will face the no. 4 seed from Northwestern which is a really good opportunity for these guys. I feel they are playing well enough to go out there and win tomorrow but we know it's not going to be easy."

Rutherford and Binkley will face the Wildcat's Matt Christian and Willy Lock.

Rutherford was not able to handle the play of Minnesota's DJ Geatz in singles, losing 6-2, 6-2.

"Mark came out a little flat," said Rodecap. "He didn't' serve that well. DJ Geatz is one of the best players in our region and Mark didn't do the things he had to do to get in the match. DJ is a guy that's going to compete to win this tournament. Overall, it was good experience for Mark."

Sophomore Trent Hagan got to play his first match of the tournament with the start of the main draw but lacked the intensity he needed to get the win. Hagan fell to Northwestern's Willy Lock, 6-3, 6-2.

"I probably should have been playing Trent in doubles to let him get some of his nervous energy out," said Rodecap. "He came out anxious and never settled into the match. He wanted it so bad. I give a lot of credit to Lock of Northwestern. He's a really good player. Trent would have had to play really well in order to beat him."

Stephen Shao and Pete Van Lieshout could not get past Ohio State's Chris Klingemann and Devin Mullings, losing the match 8-4.

"The team that they (Shao and VanLieshout) played has played in a lot of tournaments," Rodecap said. "They are both seniors and play really well together. We didn't come out as sharp as we needed to in order to put ourselves in a position to win."

Play continues tomorrow as Binkley and Rutherford look to advance one step closer to the finals.

For complete results visit www.gophersports.com.

-COMPLETE RESULTS-

Men's Open Singles
DJ Geatz (MN) def. Mark Rutherford (MU) 6-2, 6-2
Willy Lock (NW) def. Trent Hagan (MU) 6-3, 6-2

Men's Open Doubles
Binkley/Rutherford (MU) def. Epkey/Epkey (BSU) 8-6
Klingemann/Mullings (OSU) def. Shao/Van Lieshout (MU) 8-4