Aug. 18, 1997

Marc Silva Wins Title at ITA National Tennis Championships

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern junior Marc Silva (Telford, Pa./Pennridge) upset top-seeded Ed Jacques of Huntsville, Ala., 7-5, 7-5, in the singles finals of the ITA National Summer Tennis Championships. The win earned him a wild card into this week's U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament.

The third-seeded Silva was down a break early in both sets, but was able to regroup and defeat Jacques. Silva also defeated Jakub Teply of Illinois (6-4, 6-4) and Brooke Blain of Michigan (6-2, 4-6, 6-2) en route to the championship match.

In addition to earning a spot into the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament, Silva captured a "gold ball" from the USTA as a USTA National Amateur Champion. He also receives a wild card into the T. Rowe Price National Clay Court Championships, the first leg of the 1997-98 ITA Collegiate Grand Slam.

Silva, who played at the No. 2 spot for the 'Cats last season, was ranked 70th in the final Rolex Collegiate Rankings. A 1996-97 All-Big Ten honoree, Silva finished the season with a team-best 31-13 overall record. He also helped lead the 'Cats to only their second NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, a perfect 10-0 Big Ten regular-season record and an final national ranking of 25.