NORMAN, OKLA. - The benefit of experience is the knowledge that one learns from it and for the Drake men's tennis team the Bulldogs can only hope that sophomores James McKie (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Jean Erasmus (Windhoek, Namibia) soaked in the wisdom of their run into the quarterfinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Regional on Sunday (Oct. 24).

Coming up short in his quarterfinal match was McKie, who was bested by Tristan Jackson of Tulsa, 6-1, 6-4.

In the other half of the draw, 39th-rated Ashley Watling of Tulsa posted a, 6-3, 6-2, triumph over Erasmus.

In consolation action, junior Jonathan Hadash (Lapid, Israel) earned a 6-1 decision after Eric Sock of Nebraska retired following the first set.

"I thought we did a great job competing as a team this weekend," Bulldog head coach Evan Austin commented.  "James (McKie) and Jean (Erasmus) obviously stepped up in a big way and should take a lot of confidence from their performances.  They proved they could beat some of the top players in the country.  We know we need to get back and continue to work hard the rest of the fall season to prepare ourselves to consistently compete at this level in the spring."

The return on the tangible dividends of this past weekend will not be evident until Drake battles to claim its fourth Missouri Valley Conference title in the past five years during the spring campaign.  The Bulldogs have one last tournament in the fall traveling to compete at the Louisville Winter Invitational next weekend (Oct. 29-31).

ITA CENTRAL REGIONAL

OCT. 24, 2010 • NORMAN, OKLA.

SINGLES:

Tristan Jackson (TULSA) def. James McKie (DU), 6-1, 6-4

No. 39 Ashley Watling (TULSA) def. Jean Erasmus (DU), 6-3, 6-2

Jonathan Hadash (DU) def. Eric Sock (NEB), 6-1, retired