Yair Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico, Universidal del Valle de Mexico, Riverside Community College) dropped a pair of matches but finished fourth in the NCAA Division II Singles Division at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Small College Championships in Mobile, Alabama this weekend. 

In Thursday's thriller, Banuelos defeated Sonoma State's Connor Olson after two hours and 45 minutes. The Mustang lost the first set, 2-6, and was down in the second, 0-4, but then kicked his game into high gear with a few early break points to even the score at four. Banuelos then held on in a tie break in the  set the won, 7-6. He took the third set handedly, 6-2.

Banuelos then faced Concordia College's Andrey Boldarev. Banuelos took the first set, 6-4, but Boldarev took over. Boldarev dominated the second set with a 6-1 victory to force the match into a third and deciding set. Boldarev was the first to break and took the match with the third set victory, 6-4.

Drury University's Antonio Garcia Santos was up next for Banuelos. Santos defeated Banuelos in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-2.

“Yair has made such good progress this semester,” says head coach Erik Burton. “He has battled through every obstacle and proven his talent and leadership qualities.”

For complete brackets and other information about the 2009 ITA National Small College Championships, presented by USTA, please visit the tournament web site by clicking here.