Nov. 9, 2001

Waco, Texas - Baylor freshman Benni Becker picked up two wins today to advance to tomorrow's men's singles semifinals at the Omni Hotels National Intercollegiate Indoor Tennis Championships at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas.

The Bears' Markus Hornung, a freshman, and sophomore Reiner Neurohr suffered their first defeat of the season when they lost to Oliver Maiberger and Ryan Redondo of San Diego State in semifinals action, 8-5. Their fall doubles record now stands at 11-1.

Becker beat Georgia's Brandon Wagner 7-6 (6), 6-3 in tonight's quarterfinals to advance to tomorrow's 10 a.m. semifinals against Pepperdine's Al Garland. Earlier today Becker upset No. 2 seed Michael Kogan of Tulane 6-3, 7-6 (3). This is the best showing ever by a Baylor player. In fact, Becker and Marcus Hornung were Baylor's second and third participants in this tournament. Johann Jooste played in the 2000 tournament (lost first round).

Hornung, participating in the consolation bracker, won two matches today. He defeated Illinois' Phil Stolt 7-6 (5), 6-3 and Saber Kadiri of Virginia Tech, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Hornung will take on Mario Toledo of Tennessee in the consolation semifinals on Saturday.

This event, presented by The Dallas Morning News and hosted by SMU, is the nation's premier collegiate indoor tennis tournament and is the second of three national championship events for college tennis this season. The first events - the Riviera Women's and ITA Men's All-American Championships - were held last month, and the third event is season-ending NCAA Championships in May.

The Omni Hotels National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships feature a 32-player singles field and 16-team doubles field for men and women, including: qualifiers from Omni Hotels Regional Championships held across the country during last. Overall, more than 10,000 players from nearly 600 schools participate annually in the Omni Hotels Regional and National Intercollegiate Championships.

Baylor Results
Men's Singles - Second Round:
Benni Becker, Baylor d. (2) Michael Kogan, Tulane, 6-3, 7-6 (3)

Quarterfinals:
Benni Becker, Baylor d. Brandon Wagner, Georgia, 7-6 (6), 6-3

Consolation - first round
Markus Hornung (BU) def. Phil Stolt (Illinois) 7-6 (5), 6-3

Consolation - quarterfinals
Hounung (BU) def. Saber Kadiri (Va. Tech) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

Doubles:
Oliver Maiberger/Ryan Redondo (San Diego State) def. Hornung/Neurohr, 8-6