NORMAN, OKLA. - Drake men's tennis sophomores James McKie (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Jean Erasmus (Windhoek, Namibia) stormed their way into the quarterfinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Regional on Saturday (Oct. 23) with a pair of singles victories.

It marked the first time since 2005 that the Bulldogs had at least two players advance into the quarterfinal round of the main draw.  In 2005, Dalibor Pavic, Maor Zirkin and Sergi Vila all reached the quarterfinals with Zirkin and Vila coming up short in the semifinals.

McKie scored Drake's biggest upset of the day dispatching of 41st-rated Chris Nott of Arkansas, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the second round.  In the round of 16, he earned a, 7-5, 7-6 (5) decision over Matheus Pereira of Wichita State.

Erasmus also netted a second-round win over a ranked foe defeating 48th-ranked Sebastian Gallego of Minnesota, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 in the second round.  In the third round, he bettered Gregoire Lehmann of Arkansas, 6-4, 6-2.

McKie and Erasmus will look to join Zirkin, Vila and Pavic as the only Bulldogs in program history to reach the semifinal round of the ITA Regional when they return to play on Sunday (Oct. 24).

Erasmus faces Ashley Watling of Tulsa, while McKie will battle Tristan Jackson, also of Tulsa.

ITA CENTRAL REGIONAL

OCT. 23, 2010 • NORMAN, OKLA.

SINGLES:

Marcelo Arevalo (TULSA) def. Mauricio Ballivian (DU), 7-6 (5), 6-0

Jean Erasmus (DU) def. No. 48 Sebastian Gallego (MINN), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1

Jean Erasmus (DU) def. Gregoire Lehmann (ARK), 6-4, 6-2

James McKie (DU) def. No. 41 Chris Nott (ARK), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

James McKie (DU) def. Matheus Pereira (WSU), 7-5, 7-6 (5)

No. 39 Ashley Watling (TULSA) def. Robin Goodman (DU), 7-5, 6-3