March 9, 2009
LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Irish doubles team of freshman Casey Watt (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine Richland) and senior Santiago Montoya (Austin, Texas/St. Stephen’s) won four straight matches to work their way into the finals of the consolation draw at the Pacific Coast Doubles Championships at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, where they fell to Keziel Juneau and Sebastien Vidal of William & Mary, 7-5, 6-2.
Watt and Montoya advanced to the finals with a semifinal triumph over Kevin Cox and Torsten Keil-Long of Southern California, 6-4, 6-2.
In the third round of the consolation draw, the Irish duo downed Michael Lin and Todd nelson, 6-3, 6-4. Then in the fourth round, they knocked-off Bradley Adams and Davis Siegler, 6-2, 6-4. In the quarterfinals they squared off with Michael Paradowski and Christopher Tantz, with Watt and Montoya proving victorious, 7-5, 6-3.
Montoya, Watt and the Irish return to action on Thursday, March 19 at the Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic in Montgomery, Ala. 2009 will mark Notre Dame’s 17th appearance at the prestigious tournament. The Irish have an overall record of 26-12 at the event and won the tournament title in 1993, 2001 and 2007.
— ND —