HOUSTON – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's tennis picked up three singles victories in four matches as
Okkie Kellerman highlighted day two of the Rice Invitational by earning a spot in the final of the Owl Draw.
Okkie captured his place in Sunday's finals with a straight set victory over UNC Wilmington's Daniel Groom. The Islander emerged victorious with a 6-3, 6-1 score in the semifinals. Okkie will set his eyes on taking the Owl Draw on Sunday morning as he faces Michael Morphy of UNCW.
William Mottet provided another highlight by earning a big victory over Rice's Oscar Janglin. After a tough loss in the opening set by a 4-6 score, Mottet rallied back for a pair of 6-4 victories himself. Mottet will finish off his Rice Invitational action on Sunday morning with a match against Eric Morris of Denver.
Okkie's twin brother, Francois, also earned a straight set victory on Saturday afternoon. Playing in the consolation draw after splitting matches on Friday, Francois earned a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Isaac Perez of Air Force. Francois will face Eric Wagner of Tulane in his final match on Sunday morning.
Carlos Pedrosa Cuevas was knocked out of the main draw semifinals with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat at the hands of Michael Morphy.
In doubles, Pedrosa and Mottet toppled Perez and Sklenka from Air Force in the semifinals. The Islander duo picked up an 8-4 victory to advance to the finals, but were upended by Miami's pairing in 8-5 fashion.
The Kellerman twins suffered a pair of setbacks on the final day of doubles play. In the consolation final, the twins fell in a tight 8-7 (5) match to Rutledge and Janglin from Rice.
MOORE THOUGHTS
On players growing…
"These guys are developing and they are improving. They are working hard and are committed to playing the right way. We talk a lot about how it's really important to play every point with intensity and with the right style and that is the key to development."
On fight in day two…
"These guys are really competing hard. It was another tough fitness day where sometimes in the fifth or sixth hour guys can tend to fade away, but that did not happen at all. I saw guys fighting and battling and no one reached for the bailout parachute cord."
On preparing for Sunday…
"We'll get a big dinner, a couple of gallons of water, a nice ice bath and get back to chopping wood tomorrow. I'm very proud of these guys and the way they are embracing the grind."
FINALS SUNDAY
The Islanders will wrap up play at the Rice Invitational on Sunday morning.
