Oct. 31, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - After the first day of competition at the Rebel Classic, two Bulldogs advanced to Saturday's semifinals in the singles bracket, while both Fresno State doubles teams moved on to Saturday's quarterfinals.

Bulldog freshman Remi Boutillier is poised to finish the fall season strong as he came out Friday and picked up two victories in the flight 1 singles bracket. Boutillier defeated Jonathan Dahan of Cal 6-4, 6-2 in the round of 16 before taking down Luca Barlocchi of UNLV 7-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

"Overall today was a positive day in both singles and doubles," said assistant coach Lee Nickell. "Remi's hard work this fall is paying off and it showed with his two solid victories today."

The Bulldogs will also have a competitor in the semifinals of the flight 2 bracket. Flavio Mollinedo won two hard fought matches Friday, both of which went three sets.

Mollinedo was victorious against Phillip Anderson of New Mexico 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the round of 16, Mollinedo then battled Marco Folez of Fresno Pacific. The Bulldog junior took the first set, before Folez forced a third set. Mollinedo proved to be too tough in the third, winning the match 6-3, 6-7, 6-2.

"Flavio battled hard in both matches, and fought off match points in the first match," Nickell said. "He showed great resolve and I am proud of his effort."

Bulldog sophomore Rikus de Villiers picked up a win in his first match of the day. A straight set victory over Bozhidar Katsarov of Cal. De Villiers was unable to defeat Graeme Kassautzki of New Mexico in the quarterfinals as Kassautzki took the match 6-1, 6-1.

In doubles, the `Dogs had two teams in action, both of which were victorious Friday. Boutillier/de Villiers cruised to an 8-6 victory over Wood/Kassautzki of New Mexico. Leiby and Mollinedo defeated Kunkel/Miller of UNLV 8-6.

The Rebel Classic resumes Saturday with Flight 1 and 2 semifinals matches as well as quarterfinals and semifinals of doubles.

Boutillier will be featured in the flight 1 semifinals, while Mollinedo will compete in the semifinals of flight 2.

Bulldog duos of Boutillier/de Villiers and Leiby/Mollinedo will begin the day in the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament.

Rebel Classic
Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas

Flight 1 Round of 16
Rikus de Villiers (FS) def. Bozhidar Katsarov (CAL) 6-4, 6-2
Remi Boutillier (FS) def. Jonathan Dahan (CAL) 6-4, 6-2
No. 49 Elliot Wronski (UNLV) def. Siddarth Alapati (FS) 6-1, 6-2

Flight 2 Round of 16
Flavio Millinedo (FS) def. Phillip Anderson (UNM) 2-6, 7-6, 6-2
Taylor King (ARK) def. Taylor Leiby (FS) 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

Flight 1 Quarterfinals
Graeme Kassautzki (UNM) def. Rikus de Villiers (FS) 6-1, 6-1
Remi Boutillier (FS) def. Luca Barlocchi (UNLV) 7-6, 6-4

Flight 2 Quarterfinals
Flavio Millinedo (FS) def. Marco Foelz (FP) 6-3, 6-7, 6-2

Flight 1 Consolation
Carl Ho (UNM) def. Siddarth Alapati (FS) 6-7, 6-4, 6-1

Doubles Round 1
Rikus de Villiers/Remi Boutillier (FS) def. Joe Wood/Graeme Kassautzki (UNM) 8-6
Flavio Mollinedo/Taylor Leiby (FS) def. Matthew Kunkel/Bryan Miller (UNLV) 8-6

"Join the State - Fresno State!"-The Fresno State men's tennis team finishes the fall season at the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. For results and updates visit GoBulldogs.com