May 27, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s tennis senior Bruno Agostinelli became the 15th Wildcat in school history to earn All-America honors after advancing to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Singles Championship quarterfinals last weekend in College Station, Texas.
After three consecutive singles wins to advance to the elite eight, Agostinelli fell to eventual finalist Steven Moneke of Ohio State 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in a quarterfinal match. Playing in his second consecutive NCAA Singles Championship, Agostinelli became the fourth Kentucky player to advance to the quarterfinals since 2000.
“There could be no one more deserving of this honor than Bruno and its going to be a real treat to hang his picture on the wall as an All American,” UK head coach Dennis Emery said. “He has represented this university in the finest way possible, both on and off the court, as well as with his talent level. It is great to see a young man like this achieve this remarkable honor.”
To earn All-American status, a player must advance to the round of 16 in singles or the quarterfinals in doubles. Agostinelli’s first-team All-America honor is the first for any Wildcat since Tigran Martirosyan and Jesse Witten were recognized for doubles in 2005. Witten also claimed an accolade for singles that same year.
Playing on his opponent’s home court, Agostinelli only surrendered four games to Will Spencer of Texas A&M during a 6-1, 6-3, first-round match win last Wednesday. The following day, he swept second-round opponent Johnny Parkes of New Mexico in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, to advance to the round of 16. During his sweet 16 match, Agostinelli defeated Steve Johnson of USC 6-4, 6-1, to advance to his quarterfinal match against Moneke.
Agostinelli concluded the year with a 37-14 overall record during his senior season. The Wildcat captain was the last of the top eight seeds to lose on the men’s side. Agostinelli battled 25 other NCAA selections 32 times this season while recording a solid 18-14 record.
The Niagara Falls, Canada, native also advanced to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Doubles Championships for the second straight year. In the first round, Agostinelli and partner Brad Cox came up short against the No. 5-8 seeds from Wake Forest of Cory Parr and Steven Forman, 6-3, 7-6. Agostinelli and Cox ended their collegiate doubles team career with a 19-16 overall record this season.
Last week, Agostinelli was named the Southeast Region Senior Player of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
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