Oct. 9, 2003

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Pepperdine's Calle Hansen proved to be one of the Top 32 players in the country today after stopping Oklahoma State's Mark Van Elden 6-2, 6-3, at the 2003 Icy Hot/ITA Men's All-American Championship during the first round. However, the top-ranked player in the country, Bendikt Dorsch (Baylor), was up next for the senior and Hansen ended up falling short 6-4, 7-5, to complete his singles competition play at the ITA Championships.

"Calle played really well this morning and it was unfortunate he had to face the top-seeded player the next round," said Adam Steinberg, Waves' head coach. "This is by far the best Calle has played this early in the fall. I know he will have a great season this year."

Meanwhile, Pedro Rico lost early to Texas A&M's Ante Matijevic (6-1, 6-3) and headed to the consolation bracket in search of a victory. After providing solid play against Rice's Richard Baker, Rico walked away with a 6-2, 6-3 win and he'll continue competition tomorrow.

Rico is scheduled to play Illinois' Ryler DeHeart at 9:00 a.m. on Friday.

The Pepperdine double's team of Hansen and Rico challenged Auburn's Andrew Columbo and Gabor Zol Pelvo on Friday afternoon.

The ITA Men's All-American the first of three national championship events during the 2003-04 collegiate tennis season. The tournament is being held in Chattanooga, Tenn., October 9-12 at The Champions Club.

The Icy Hot/ITA Men's All-American Championship, the largest single tournament in the country, offers the first national singles and doubles titles of the season, and are followed by the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in November and the the season-ending NCAA Championship