Of 28 schools, the Penn State men's tennis team advanced the most players after the first round of play at the ITA Championships in Ithaca, N.Y.

Seniors Roddy Cantey and Todd Stecko, along with sophomores Macolm Scatliffe and Mark Barry received first round byes while freshman Ryan Berger and junior Clint Keithly defeated their opponents to advance to the second round.

The duo of Stecko and Berger won their first set but fell short in the second round of doubles play, while Keithly and Cantey advanced to the quarterfinals.

"Overall our guys played very well and very hard," men's tennis coach Jan Bortner said.

Barry advanced to the quarterfinals but lost 6-4, 6-3 to senior Cliff Nguyen of Harvard.

"I thought Barry played an outstanding match," Bortner said.

"It was the experience that gave Nguyen an edge."

Bortner said because Barry was able to keep up with Nguyen's backhand, play was even. It was Nguyen's forehand, and his ability to hit all angles though that was difficult for Barry to defend.

"The other guy [Nguyen] was just a little more conditioned," Barry said. "He was faster than me."

In doubles action, Keithley and Cantey's slow start resulted in a loss to the Cornell duo, 8-6, in the quarterfinals.

"They got out of the gate slow, but made a valiant comeback," Bortner said. "It was a great effort in terms of intensity."

Although Penn State showed to be the best in the East along with Harvard, Brown and Virginia Tech, Bortner said the team could have achieved more success.

"Our guys just came up a little bit short," Bortner said. "I think we could have advanced a little bit further."