Oct. 10, 2004
Boilermaker Invitational Final Results in PDF Format
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue men's tennis player Chris Cozad won the Gray Flight of the Boilermaker Invitational on Sunday. The sophomore transfer from Illinois State defeated Tony Tran of Toledo 6-3, 6-1 in the final round to claim the title.
"My serve this weekend was a huge part of my game," Cozad said. "I came in with a lot of confidence and really was able to get to the net and be effective."
Purdue sophomore Matt Zollman also won one of the five Boilermaker Invitational singles flights contested this weekend. Zollman beat Dara McLoughlin of Indiana 7-5, 6-2 to win the White Flight.
Sophomore Scott Warner finished as runner-up in the Black Flight, falling 6-2, 6-3 to David Bubenicek of Indiana in the championship match.
In addition to champs Cozad and Zollman, Purdue singles winners on Sunday were seniors Filip Koziell and David Robinson, along with sophomores Eric Hodgman and Jarred Leibner. Koziell beat Rob Simpson of Xavier 6-3, 6-3; Robinson defeated Scott Newmark of Butler 6-4, 6-4; Hodgman downed Mike Weaver of Butler 6-3, 6-2; and Leibner beat Brian Schubert of Xavier 6-2, 6-2.
In doubles, Cozad and Warner advanced to the title match of the Gold Flight before falling 9-7 to Ryan and Mike McCarthy of Indiana. Cozad and Warner won their second-round match against Dmytro Ishtuganov and Tom Bagnato of Indiana 8-6 to get to the championship contest.
Koziell and Robinson won 8-3 over Newmark and Parker Ross. Zollman and junior Colin Foster beat J.R. Randall and Rustin Reys of Xavier 8-2.
Purdue head coach Tim Madden was impressed with the play of his sophomore class.
"It was encouraging to see our younger guys play at a higher level," Madden said. "Chris always has been a powerful player, but he's learning to be smarter. Matt improved dramatically over three singles matches. He played within himself and competed with a lot of confidence. Eric is adding weapons and is learning to become a more powerful player."
Madden was most pleased with the improvement he saw in doubles.
"The more experienced players set the tone, and the veterans have raised their intensity," Madden said. "The chemistry and teamwork this weekend was impressive."
The Boilermakers will return to action Oct. 21 to 26, at the ITA Midwest Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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