May 25, 2004
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State senior Felix Hardt, ranked 40th nationally, will open play in the 2004 NCAA Singles Championship on Wednesday in Tulsa, Okla. Hardt will face Bo Hodge of Georgia, who received a 9-16 seed, in the first round of the 64-player field at 2 p.m. CDT.
Hardt enters the tournament with a 19-10 overall record, including a 13-6 mark in dual competition this spring. He earned his third all-conference singles honor this past season after playing the number one position for the Aztecs in 19 of 20 matches this season. A native of Allensbach, Germany, Hardt owns 12 victories over players currently ranked in the ITA singles poll. Hodge enters the championship ranked 14th nationally.
This marks the sixth consecutive season that a San Diego State player has earned a spot in the NCAA field. Last season, five-time All-American Oliver Maiberger advanced to the round of 16 before being eliminated in three sets by Rameez Junaid of Auburn 3-6, 6-1, 7-6.
The singles championship runs through May 31.