A trio of NC State men's tennis players were in action on the first day of the Southern Intercollegiate in Athens, Ga, Friday, September 21. Christian Welte and Frideric Prandecki fell in the first round while Derek Stephens won his opener and will play a former teammate in the Round of 16.
Stephens won his first match in the Red and White after transferring from Tennessee after his sophomore season. Stephens, originally from Charlotte, N.C., won his match against Evan Dufaux of Vanderbilt in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Stephens will now face Davey Sandgren of Tennessee.
Welte, a junior from Philadelphia, Pa., fell in the second round to Ales Svigelj of South Florida, 7-6 (6), 6-1. He will play a back draw match on Saturday.
Prandecki, a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nev., lost to Scott Liberman of Vanderbilt in his match and will now play in the consolation draw of his bracket.
Welte and Stephens lost their doubles match, 8-3, in the first round.
