University of Tennessee Athletics
Dietrich Wins Southern Men's Indoor Tennis Championship
December 30, 2001 | Men's Tennis
Dec. 30, 2001
MEMPHIS, Tenn.-Tennessee freshman Mark Dietrich captured the Southern Men's Indoor Tennis Championship crown Sunday at the Memphis Racquet Club (Dietrich's home club). The Memphis native had participated in the event several times previously, but won the championship for the first time this weekend. Dietrich's win Sunday garnered him a wild card entry into the qualifying rounds of February's $725,000 ATP St. Jude Classic, also being held at the Memphis Racquet Club.
"Coach Fancutt and I are very pleased to see Mark (Dietrich) win this tournament," UT assistant coach Chris Mahony said. "This is an event he had highlighted on his calendar that he wanted to win and he did it. I believe this is very exciting for Mark, as well as our program that he will be able to compete in the ATP event in February. Mark appears to be positioning himself for a great season this spring."
Dietrich won five straight matches to capture the Southern title without dropping a set. After breezing through the first three rounds, Dietrich defeated Arkansas' Nathan Prince 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinal round to advance to the final. Dietrich then downed former touring pro Keith Evans 6-3, 6-4 for the championship.
The Vols will next be in action Jan. 7 at the ATP Futures of Florida.
