MTN: Freshmen Shine at Steve Baras Fall Classic

Lucas de Torres Curth advanced to the C Singles Draw

Tournament: 2015 Steve Baras Fall Classic
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Venue: Champions Club
Key Players: Lucas de Torres Cuth (Advanced to Finals in C Singles Draw), Sam Slade (Advanced to Consolation Finals in A Singles Draw), Corey Smith (Advance to Consolation Final in D Singles Draw)

Final Draws (HTML) | Final Draws (PDF) | Final Results (PDF) | Updated Season Stats (PDF)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn— Freshman Lucas de Torres Curth led the Kennesaw State men's tennis team over the weekend as the Owls competed four players at the 2015 Steve Baras Fall Classic in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Oct. 2-3. The tournament was cancelled on Saturday evening due to inclement weather.

"We had a very good weekend overall. All four Owls competing did a much better job this weekend playing under difficult conditions," Eduardo Rincon, Director of Tennis, said. "They also did a good job staying poised and ready to go when playing times and places were uncertain."

The freshman defeated Zak Khan (6-3, 6-1) in the opening round before advancing to the finals when the San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina native won in three sets over Belmont's Bruno Russo (6-0, 2-6, 1-0 -5). De Torres Curth would have faced UTC's Lucas Plesky in the championship, but the tournament was called due to rain.

"Lucas did a great job making it to his draw's finals. He has started to settle down and show great competitive skills," Rincon said. "He was tested under pressure and he came through with good answers. I look forward to seeing what he can do during dual matches in the spring."

Sam Slade, who went 1-1 in singles play, lost his opening round match before bouncing back with a victory over Eastern Kentucky's Ramon van Flymen (6-4, 6-4) in straight sets to play for fifth place in the A Singles Draw. Slade was set to take on Middle Tennessee State's Luis Morillo Diaz before the cancellation of the tournament.

The third freshman who competed for head coach Rincon also had a strong showing as Corey Smith, the Cochran, Georgia native, also advanced to the fifth place match in the D Singles Draw. Smith defeated Belmont's Toby Nicolson (7-6, 4-6, 1-0) in a hard-fought match to advance.

In all, the three freshman won at least one match over the two-day span, as de Torres Curth led all Owls by advancing to the finals.

Senior Jorge Wilton also saw action over the weekend, as the Ashtead, England native picked up a doubles win with Slade over Tennessee Tech, 6-4. Wilton also won his opening round match on Friday, defeating UTC's John Peacey (6-4, 7-6) in straight sets.

No. 99 ranked Simon Pritchard will embark on his journey Monday, Oct. 5 at the prestigious ITA All-American Tournament in Tusla, Oklahoma in the qualifying round. The Owls will also be back in action next weekend at the Mercer Tournament in Macon, Georgia from Oct. 9-11.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State men's tennis news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUMensTennis or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.

-#GoKSUOwls-

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Players Mentioned

Simon Pritchard: 6' 1"; Junior

Jorge Wilton: 6' 0"; Senior

Lucas de Torres Curth: 6' 1"; Freshman

Sam Slade: 6' 2"; Freshman; Alpharetta, Ga.

Corey Smith: 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Simon Pritchard
: 6' 1"; Junior

Jorge Wilton
: 6' 0"; Senior

Lucas de Torres Curth
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Sam Slade
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Alpharetta, Ga.

Corey Smith
: 6' 1"; Freshman