Men's tennis sends three to 2006 NCAA singles and doubles championships

Mlendea claims automatic berth

Rafael Abreu
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May 5, 2006

FORT WORTH, Texas - Sophomore Andrei Mlendea garnered the Mountain West Conference automatic berth in singles play and seniors Rafael Abreu and Jordan Freitas grabbed at-large bids as the NCAA announced the 2006 singles and doubles championship field on Friday.

Mlendea currently occupies the No. 34 spot in the ITA polls with a record of 15-7. He is a two-time MWC Player of the Week and was recognized to the all-conference squad after going 5-1 versus MWC foes. Mlendea's season is highlighted with victories over eighth-ranked Jerry Makowski 6-3, 7-6 (4) in TCU's 4-3 triumph versus then-No. 22 Texas A&M on March 22. He also ousted Baylor's fourth-ranked Lars Poerschke 6-4, 6-2 on March 7.

Abreu and Freitas are ranked 27th in the ITA doubles poll after posting a record of 12-7. The duo recorded wins over four ranked opponents during the season including an 8-6 decision over No. 14 Mark Growcott and Ken Spupski of LSU.

The 32nd-ranked TCU men's tennis team heads to Malibu, Calif., on Saturday, May 13, to take on No. 36 San Diego in the opening round of the 2006 NCAA Men's Championships.