Razorback Netters Continue Fall Success at Baras Classic

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Arkansas’ trio each advanced to at least the round of 16 at the Baras Fall Classic Friday and Saturday in Chattanooga, Tenn., with each of the three Razorbacks notching their first collegiate victories.

Redshirt Freshman Drew Sosebee won the first two matches of his collegiate career, advancing to the quarterfinals of Flight B. Sosebee, of North Little Rock, Ark., knocked off Jorge Yunes of North Alabama in the first round, 6-2, 6-2, and then bested Jean Vaccarin of Jacksonville State, 6-4, 6-3, in the round of 16. Sosebee was eliminated by Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Tim Mittiga, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in the quarterfinals.

Branden Joost, another redshirt freshman, also won his collegiate debut, defeating North Alabama’s Adam Loudermilk, 6-0, 6-2. Joost, a native of Tecumseh, Kan., was bounced from Flight C in the round of 16 by Alabama-Birmingham’s Alex Emory, 6-1, 6-2. Also in Flight C, sophomore Brian Yanulis posted a, 6-1, 6-0, over Cody Hawes of Alabama-Huntsville in the opening round. The win marks the first of Yanulis’ career, who played in only two events last season. Yanulis, of The Woodlands, Texas, was eliminated in the round of 16, falling, 2-6, 6-4, 1-0(8), to Matthew Poleon of Mercer.

Arkansas will send one competitor to the Polo All-American Tournament beginning Monday, Oct. 2 in Tulsa, Okla. Sophomore Blake Strode, who won 27 matches in 2005-06, will represent the Hogs when he opens play in the qualifying rounds.