TULSA, Okla. – The Cleveland State men's tennis team continued action at the ITA All-American Championship Monday, with senior Nico Mostardi advancing to the second round of the qualifying draw and junior Matthew Terry bowing out in the first round.

After earning a spot in the qualifying draw, Mostardi was matched up against California's Jacob Brumm in a first round contest. Mostardi cruised to a 6-0 win during the opening set, and then dropped a second set tiebreaker to force a third and deciding frame.

Mostardi was able to jump out to a 3-0 lead to start the third set, and then held on for a 6-3 victory to advance to the second round of the qualifying draw.

"Nico gutted one out today, and I was happy to see him get the win and move on to the second round," head coach Brian Etzkin said. "It wasn't his best day, but he found a way to get the win in the end and keep himself in the match until the final point. I saw some really good stuff from his game in this match, but also some things that we will need to fine tune for tomorrow, and if we are able to do that I feel good about his chances."

With the win, Mostardi improves to 5-2 on the year, and becomes the seventh Viking all-time to reach the 75-win milestone.

This marks the second straight season that Mostardi has picked up a win in the first round of the qualifying draw, as he now owns a 2-1 record when playing at the ITA All-American Championship.

Mostardi will now face No. 68 Josh Goodger of Florida in a second round match tomorrow (Tuesday, October 8), with the winner playing a third round contest later in the day.

Matthew Terry was also in action for the Vikings on Monday, as he earned a spot in the qualifying draw after posting a perfect 4-0 record in the pre-qualifying bracket over the weekend.

Terry, who entered the day with a perfect 8-0 singles record this season, dropped his first match of the year in the first round of the qualifying draw, falling to No. 85 Frazier Rengifo of East Tennessee State.

"Matt made a great run at the tournament this weekend, and his goal was to get through the pre-qualifying draw and earn a spot in the next round, which he accomplished," Etzkin said. "He got matched up against a really good opponent today who was playing with fresh legs, and that made the difference when Matt had already put so much time in on the courts the last two days. Despite the outcome today, I'm proud of what Matt accomplished this weekend and I am definitely looking forward for what is to come from him this season." 

Qualifying Draw First Round
Nico Mostardi (CSU) def. Jacob Brumm (CAL), 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-3
85 Frazier Rengifo (ETSU) def. Matthew Terry (CSU), 6-3, 6-1