Sept. 23, 2007

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ----- The UAB men's tennis team capped a successful first weekend of fall action here Sunday as the Blazers claimed a singles title and also a doubles crown in the three-day UTC Baras Classic.

Sophomore Thomas Petrich captured the "B" division singles championship as he won over UAB teammate Tyrone Ewels, 5-2, retired (injured). Ewels, who suffered cramps after his two three-set matches on Saturday, experienced more of the same Sunday morning and was not able to complete the match.

In the "A" doubles flight, the Blazers' senior duo of Johannes Spangenberg and Adrian Tollstam were 8-6 winners over the Lipscomb team of Daniel Hangstefer and Steffen Hawkins.

UAB had a shot at picking up a second singles title in the tournament as Tollstam also played for the "C" division crown. After a strong start against North Alabama's Chris Sodemann, Tollstam fell in three sets, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4.

"Overall, we had a good weekend and a good first tournament," said Blazers' assistant coach Davidson Kozlowski. "Tommy (Petrich) played good tennis all weekend. Unfortunately, Tyrone (Ewels) couldn't finish the match today, but he was really cramping after yesterday's matches.

"Adrian got off to a good start in his match but then didn't play as well after that," said Kozlowski. "I was happy to see he and Hans come back and win the ("A") doubles."