October 10, 2007
Three Texas A&M men?â„¢s tennis players will participate in the three-day Midland Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational on Oct. 12-14 in Midland, Texas.
Senior All-American Jerry Makowski (Bradenton, Fla.), sophomore Chris Chirico (Philadelphia, Pa.) and sophomore Brad Williams (Cape Town, South Africa) will compete in singles, while Makowski and Chirico will combine in doubles. Makowski, ranked No. 34 nationally in the preseason ITA/FILA Collegiate Tennis Rankings, is one of four top-seeded players in the 32-player singles draw. Chirico, a transfer from Saint Joseph?â„¢s, boasts a team-best 4-2 doubles record in fall tournament play.
?The invitational will provide great competition for our players in preparation for regionals next week in Austin,? Texas A&M head coach Steve Denton said. ?We?â„¢ve had a very productive fall thus far and a real head start to the new season. We are hitting the ball pretty well, doing a lot of fitness work and getting our games in order. I am very proud of our work ethic this season.?
In first-round action, Williams will face top-seeded Blake Strode of Arkansas, while Makowski draws St. Edward?â„¢s Brett Powers and Chirico challenges Texas?â„¢ Hubert Chodkiewicz.
The tournament will feature players and doubles teams from Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Boise State, Rice, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas-Arlington, Texas Tech, UCLA and St. Edward?â„¢s. Play begins Friday at the Midland Racquet Club.