TULSA, OKLA. - Freshman James McKie (Edinburgh, Scotland) posted a pair of victories in second-day action at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Regional on Saturday (Oct. 24) to lead the Drake men's tennis team's efforts.

Junior Mauricio Ballivian (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) persevered through a three-set affair to record a 7-6, (4), 4-6, 6-2 triumph in his second-round match over Benedikt Lindheim of Nebraska.  Squaring off against another Cornhusker in fourth-seeded David Bendheim, Ballivian dropped a 7-5, 6-3 decision in the round of 16.

In the consolation singles bracket, senior Guilherme Marsiglia (Porto Alegre, Brazil) fell short in dropping a 7-6 (4), 6-2 decision versus Michael Sicora of Minnesota.

In the bottom half of the draw, freshman James McKie (Edinburgh, Scotland) bested Orhan Spahic of Southern Illinois, by virtue of a walkover, before downing Wichita State's Adrian Chermaci, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to move on to the quarterfinal round.

McKie's next challenge will be Reinoud Haal of Iowa on Sunday (Oct. 25).

ITA CENTRAL REGIONAL

OCT. 24, 2009 • TULSA, OKLA.

SINGLES:

Michael Sicora (MINN) def. Guilherme Marsiglia (DU), 7-6 (4), 6-2

James McKie (DU) def. Orhan Spahic (SIU), Walkover

James McKie (DU) def. Adrian Chermaci (WSU), 7-6 (5), 6-4

Mauricio Ballivian (DU) def. Benedikt Lindheim (NEB) 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2

David Bendheim (NEB) def. Mauricio Ballivian (DU), 7-5, 6-3