April 22, 2009

Philadelphia, Pa. - The Charlotte 49ers men's tennis team has been seeded fifth in the upcoming 2009 Atlantic 10 Championships, which takes place at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville, Pa., beginning Friday, April 24.

Charlotte will take on 12th-seeded Fordham at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. The winner will face the four seed St. Bonaventure later that afternoon at 2 p.m.

The Niners finished the regular season with a 9-11 record, 1-2 against Atlantic 10 competition.

Reigning champion Xavier look to defend its crown.

George Washington, the top seed for the 2009 Championship, is led by sophomore Chris Kushma (10-3) and freshman Ugur Atalay, a one-time A-10 Player & Rookie of the Week selection. Atalay enters this week's action with a team-best 15-6 record in singles action. The Colonials (11-7) are vying for their second-ever A-10 title and first since 1979.

Xavier captured its first A-10 crown after downing George Washington, 4-0, in the finals last season. This year, the Musketeers (14-7) are led by senior Ra'ees Ismail, whose 21-12 record in singles play ranks in the top-five of the league. A three-time Player of the Week selection this season, Ismail has also enjoyed success in doubles, entering the Championship with a 23-10 ledger.

The other seeds for the Championship are George Washington (first), Xavier (second), Saint Louis (third), Temple (sixth), Duquesne (seventh), Saint Joseph's (eighth), Dayton (ninth), Richmond (tenth), and La Salle (eleventh).

Play begins on Friday, Apr. 24, at 8:00am, with the final match of the day starting at 5:00pm. On Saturday, Apr. 25, play begins at 8:00am and with the final match slated for 2:00pm. The fifth-place match of the Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship will commence on Sunday, Apr. 26, at 8:00am. The title and third-place matches close out the event at 11:00am.

For complete results of the Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship, log on to www.atlantic10.org.