TULSA, Okla. - Drake men's tennis senior Ben Mullis' (Leicestershire, England) bid to advance to the qualifying draw of the Saint Francis Health Systems/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Championships came up one win shy after dropping a 6-4, 6-2 decision versus North Carolina's Jack Murray in the fourth round of pre-qualifying action on Sunday (Sept. 28).

Mullis reached the finale of the pre-qualifying flight after registering a dramatic 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3) victory past Frederik Gelbrich of San Diego State.  In the deciding third set, Mullis fell behind 5-2, before rallying to force and eventually win the tiebreaker, 7-6 (3).

In the Bulldogs other third-round tilt, senior Matt Frost (Cambridge, England) suffered a 6-4, 6-3 setback against A.J. Catanzariti of Texas A&M.

Junior Ben Lott (Newcastle, England) will open singles competition in the qualifying draw for Drake on Monday (Sept. 29) before beginning doubles action with senior Alen Salibasic (Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina) on Tuesday (Sept. 30).

SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEMS/ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

SEPT. 28, 2014 – TULSA, OKLA.

SINGLES:

Ben Mullis (DU) def. Frederik Gelbrich (SDSU), 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3)

Jack Murray (UNC) def. Ben Mullis (DU), 6-4, 6-2

A.J. Catanzariti (TAMU) def. Matt Frost (DU), 6-4, 6-3