SALISBURY, Md. - The 10th annual Sea Gull Open
was very successful for the Salisbury University men's and women's
tennis teams as the men had two players reach the semifinals in the
singles for the first time in eight years and the women had the
singles runner-up.
Sophomore Matthew Nicholson kicked off his Sea
Gull career in impressive fashion as he advanced to the semifinals
before losing to eventual champion Ryan Davidson. Davidson spent
time on the pro tour and was ranked as high as 400 in the world.
In addition, Nicholson teamed up with junior Brendan
Kincaid in the doubles event as the two finished second to
Davidson and men's singles runner-up David Jackson.
Freshman Scott Burtzlaff advanced to the
semifinals of the men's single and fell to Jackson. Jackson is
currently the No. 1 player at Division I University of Maryland
Baltimore County. Burtzlaff advanced to the semifinals by beating
sophomore teammate Sasha Felikson in the
quarterfinals.
The team of Kincaid and Nicholson had a tough time advancing to
the finals as fellow Sea Gulls Burtzlaff and freshman Evan
Thomas took the school's No. 1 doubles team to three sets.
Kincaid and Nicholson eventually won, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
The players weren't the only ones who got involved in the event.
SU coach Randy Halfpap teamed up with assistant
coach Nick Peel to advance to the semifinals in
the doubles event.
On the women's side, senior Erika Mitry
advanced to the finals as she lost to Grace Cheng, the No. 25
player in the 18 and under Mid-Atlantic region, 6-1, 6-2.
Mitry also advanced to the finals in the women's doubles as she
teamed up with senior Jenny Rosler. Cheng and
Audrey Cheng defeated Mitry and Rosler by default.
Other highlights include freshman Kelly Fahrner
who reached the semifinals in singles and doubles. Fahrner defeated
fellow freshman Jackie Burr in the quarterfinals
in the three sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
Fahrner teamed up with sophomore Hannah Parsons
in doubles as they lost to Mitry and Rosler, 6-1, 6-4.
The women return to action on Saturday, March 3 as they host
Virginia Wesleyan and New York at 11 am and 3:30 pm while the men
travel to Camden, N.J. to take part in the Drew Invitational on
Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25.
