May 21, 2005

SANTA CRUZ. Calif - Hardin-Simmons' doubles team of Brad Grace and David Wu advanced to the quarterfinals with a come-from-behind win in the first round of the NCAA Division III Doubles Championship, Saturday evening in Santa Cruz, Calif.

The HSU team defeated Brad Livingston and Dane Schmidgall of Carthage 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-0). Wu and Grace led 3-0 and 5-3 in the third but the Carthage team battled back to force the tiebreak. The Cowboys ran through the tiebreaker without much of a challenge.

"They (Wu/Grace) battled back hard after dropping the first set," said head coach Shane Williford. "They were really cruising in the third, but the Carthage guys battled back. The team we play tomorrow played on the court right next to us and they are a solid team."

Wu/Grace improved to 27-3 on the year and 27-1 against Division III opponents. They will face Valentin Sigartau and Sebastian Stanescu of Piedmont (N.C.) at 6 p.m. CST on Sunday in the quarterfinals. The Piedmont team won 6-3, 7-5.

The win earned Wu and Grace All-American status.