May 22, 2005

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Hardin-Simmons' doubles team of Brad Grace and David Wu advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Doubles Championship, Sunday evening in Santa Cruz, Calif, with a straight-set thumping of Valentin Sigartau and Sebastian Stanescu of Piedmont (N.C.), 6-2, 6-4.

HSU cruised through the first set after a break at 2-2. In the second set, the Cowboys broke at 1-1 and got it to 4-3 before Piedmont broke to make it 4-4. The Cowboys responded with a break of its own and then served out the match.

"David and Brad really played well today," said head coach Shane Williford. "They really played an attack style that fit into our game, because we are so quick at the net. The next team we play has a similar style so we will see if it plays into our hands again. Brad and David are two wins from the national title, so I couldn't ask for more."

Wu/Grace improved to 28-3 on the year and 28-1 against Division III opponents. The fourth seeded Cowboys will play top-seeded Michael Malvits and Julian Seelan of Kalamazoo, 33-4, at 1 p.m. CST with the finals to follow.

--- HSU Athletics ---