May 26, 2004

TULSA, OKLA. - University of North Carolina senior Nick Monroe (Olathe, Kan.) rallied from a set down to beat Nathan Price of Arkansas Tuesday in the opening round of the 2004 NCAA Division I singles tournament at the University of Tulsa. Monroe, the nation's 29th-ranked singles player, advances to the second round Thursday when he will also play in the opening round of doubles with UNC teammate Geoff Boyd.

Monroe lost the first set to the 38th-ranked Price, a native of Tulsa and one of Monroe's best friends from their days playing junior tennis, before rallying to win the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Monroe will play in the second round of singles Thursday against the winner of a first-round match being played Wednesday between 58th-ranked Jeff Krader of William & Mary and 10th-rated Alex Vlaski of Washington.

Monroe and Boyd, the nation's No. 17 doubles team, will play in the first round of doubles on Thursday against the LSU doubles team of Brian Fisher and Jason Hazley. That doubles team is ranked No. 13 in the country.