May 25, 2000

Despite entering the competition unseeded, Illinois senior Jeff Laski earned his first All-America tennis designation this morning by defeating Jean-Noel Grinda of UCLA, 6-3, 6-4 in Round 2 of the NCAA Division I Men's Singles Tennis Tournament in Athens, Ga.

With the victory, Laski moves to the round of 16 in the singles tournament tomorrow. But his day of competition is not over yet. He and sophomore Jamal Parker, the No. 23 doubles team in the nation, will compete in their first match of that 32-team national tournament late this afternoon.

Laski is No. 7 on Illinois' career singles wins list and is the leader in UI career doubles victories.