Matt Weir / The Collegian

TEJESVI VEEREPALLI /Tey-jez-vee Vee-re-pal-ee/
HOMETOWN: HYDERABAD, INDIA

Senior Tejesvi Veerepalli started the season well at the Wave Tournament with a 2-1 record in doubles with partner David Ayoun and a 2-1 record in singles. Veerepalli is entering the season as one of the Top 5 players for the ’Dogs.

Veerepalli said even though it was his first doubles match with partner David Ayoun at the Wave Tournament, they ended strong.

“We played three teams that were in the Top 30, so it had been a tough, but fun weekend,” he said.

Veerepalli has been one of tough contenders in WAC men’s tennis during his last three seasons with the ’Dogs. Last season, he went undefeated in the WAC regular season singles matches.

He said he wishes to continue the team’s strong start against the eight other teams they will be facing at the Bulldog Classic.

“We have to respect everyone, but at the same time we expect tough competition from them,” Veerepalli said.

Matt Weir / The Collegian

DAVID AYOUN /Dah-vid A-yoon/
HOMETOWN: CETEIL, FRANCE

Sophomore David Ayoun made his Bulldog debut at the Wave Invitational with his first collegiate singles victory against Minnesota’s Michael Sicora. He was 2-1 in the singles match and 2-1 in the doubles with partner Tejesvi Veerepalli.

Ayoun started playing for the team a month ago so he is currently adjusting to the way tennis tournaments are played in the United States.

“Here in America, the tournaments are much faster. They last for three days when in France they could last for weeks,” Ayoun said.

Coach Jay Udwadia said that although Ayoun has only been in the team for a month, he has the potential to be a great Bulldog based on what he saw in Ayoun’s performance in the last tournament.

Matt Weir / The Collegian

MIRKO ZAPLETAL /Meer-koh Zap-le-tal/
HOMETOWN: TREBIC, CZECH REPUBLIC

Senior Mirko Zapletal held an impressive record in the last three seasons at Fresno State.

He was selected three times for the first team All-Western Athletics Conference (WAC) doubles and three-time second team All-WAC selection as a singles player.

Beginning his fourth year with the ’Dogs, Zapletal had a 3-0 record in the doubles part of the Wave Invitational with partner Taylor Leiby, but failed to deliver a win in the singles tournament.

Zapletal will not be competing at the upcoming Bulldog Classic tournament this weekend since he will be competing in an All-American tournament.

“This is a good chance for me to be recognized nationally,” Zapletal said. “But I hope the guys will do well in the Bulldog Classic.”