2University of Minnesota men's tennis player Avery Ticer (Amarillo, Texas) continued his strong play in 2005 with another win over a higher-ranked opponent today in the 49th- ranked Golden Gophers' 5-2 team loss to ninth-ranked Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. In a return to his home state, 49th-ranked Ticer went 2-0, defeating 34th-ranked Jerry Makowski today in singles play.

The Aggies began the dual with a three-match sweep at doubles to gain the early 1-0 lead. Texas A&M posted 8-4 wins at Nos. 2 and 3, and an 8-2 win by Brett Joelson and Ante Matijevic over Ticer and Nic Edlefsen at No. 1.

Texas A&M pushed its lead to 2-0 with a Joelson win over Sion Wilkins at No. 6 singles, but the Maroon and Gold rebounded with victories at Nos. 3 and 1. At No. 3, Adrien Debreyne upset 81st-ranked Yevgeny Supeko after the Aggie retired in the second set after a 7-5 win by Debreyne in the first set. Ticer improved to 6-2 this spring with a 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Makowski at No. 1. Ticer is now 4-2 against nationally-ranked opponents in 2005.

Following the wins by Debreyne and Ticer, A&M responded with three victories at Nos. 4, 5 and 2. The Aggies wrapped up the team win with Matijevic's 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over Edlefsen at No. 2

The Golden Gophers (2-7) return home to open the Big Ten season against Iowa on March 11 at the Baseline Tennis Center.

#49 Minnesota at #9 Texas A&M
Feb. 27, 2005
College Station, Texas

Singles
1. #49 Avery Ticer (MN) def. #34 Jerry Makowski (A&M), 6-4, 6-0
2. Ante Matijevic (A&M) def. Nic Edlefsen (MN), 6-2, 3-6, 6- 3
3. Adrien Debreyne (MN) def. #81 Yevgeny Supeko (A&M), 7-5, ret.
4. Mohamed Dakki (A&M) def. Raoul Schwark (MN), 7-5, 6-1
5. Bryan Wooten (A&M) def. Brian Lipinski (MN), 3-6, 6-0, 6- 3
6. Brett Joelson (A&M) def. Sion Wilkins (MN), 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish: 6,3,1,4,5,2

Doubles
1. Joelson/Matijevic (A&M) def. Edlefsen/Ticer (MN), 8-2
2. Zack Malmgren/Wooten (A&M) def. Mikey Kantar/Schwark (MN), 8- 4
3. Dakki/Makowski (A&M) def. Lipinski/Wilkins (MN), 8-4
Order of finish: 1,3,2

#9 Texas A&M def. #49 Minnesota, 5-2