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Jason Zafiros and Geoff Embry are headed to Indiana to play in the ITA/USTA Summer National Collegiate Championships.

By University Communications
July 31, 2009

Jason Zafiros and Geoff Embry have both spent the summer months playing singles tennis tournaments throughout the region, improving their game and enjoying some success.

Zafiros, who was a top newcomer for the Wildcats a season ago, recently played in a regional Intercollegiate Tennis Association, or ITA, tournament leg on the campus at the University of Florida.

Seeded eighth overall, Zafiros topped Michael Wardell, 6-4, 6-4 in his first match. He then beat Christopher Sheehan 6-2, 6-3 and Keith Embree, 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the semifinal round.

In that round, Zafiros topped Amagh Prabhaker, 6-3, 6-3 for the right to play James Wang in the final. Zafiros then went onto top Wang, 6-2, 6-3, for the singles title.

Embry also claimed a summer circuit ITA regional title during a tournament at Ventura Community College in California, which was part of the ITA's West Region. Embry will begin his first season as a Wildcat in the fall after sitting out last year after transferring from Oregon.

In his first match, Embry beat Victor Sowers, 6-2, 6-2. Embry then topped Ryan Lassila, 6-3, 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.

Embry also beat Taylor Chavez-Goggin, 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals and Erik Sheldon, 6-4, 6-3 in the finals to take the crown in Ventura.

Both Zafiros and Embry will now play in the ITA/United States Tennis Association Summer National Collegiate Championships, August 8-12 at Indiana University.

Champions will earn wild cards into the main draws of the ITA men's and women's All-American Championships and runner-up players will receive wildcards into qualifying matches.

Last season, Zafiros competed in two fall events – the Arizona Fall Classic and the Wilson/ITA West-North Regional Championships. He won the first annual Arizona Fall Classic when teammate Francois VanderMerwe was unable to play due to injury, finishing the fall with a 4-3 singles record.

Zafiros started his freshman spring season winning his first 15 matches – 12 of which he won consecutively. Also, he won 15 of 16 non-conference matches in which he played.