May 23, 2005

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Hardin-Simmons' doubles team of David Wu and Brad Grace saw their run in the NCAA Division III Tournament end in the semifinals with a heartbreaking 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 loss to top-seeded Michael Malvitz and Julian Seelan of Kalamazoo, Monday afternoon.

The Cowboys were down 5-2 in the first set but bounced back and won five straight games to take the first set 7-5. In the second set the Cowboys were down a break, but got it back later and eventually lost in a tiebreaker, 7-5.

In the third set, the Cowboys were up 4-2 but were broken in each of their last two service games and lost 6-4. The Cowboys ended their season with a 28-4 record.

"They gave it a great effort," said HSU Head Coach Shane Williford. "They bounced back early and the Kalamazoo team bounced back when their back was to the wall. It was two great teams going at it and we just came up short at the end. Both teams played like champions."

Wu, the American Southwest Conference Player of the Year, will be back for his senior season next year. Grace ended his fine career as a Cowboy as an All-American. They are the second doubles teams at HSU to make it to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Championship.

--- HSU Athletics ---