Oct. 2, 2011
TULSA, Okla. — Senior Will Vasos won two matches on Sunday at the ITA All-American Championships and the University of Iowa men’s tennis team will have two players compete in qualifying singles for the first time in program history at this tournament.
After advancing through the pre-qualifying bracket, Vasos will join senior Marc Bruche in the qualifying stage on Monday. Bruche, ranked No. 101 nationally, did not have to compete in the pre-qualifying bracket.
“It’s a great achievement to have two guys in qualifying singles, which is something we’ve never done before,” said head coach Steve Houghton. “Those two will also be playing qualifying doubles, so it will continue to be exciting for us.”
Vasos went 4-0 in pre-qualifying with two impressive three set victories on Sunday. Vasos defeated Chris Camillone of Texas 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the third round. In the advancing round, Vasos earned a comeback win over USC Upstate’s Matthias Kidler.
Vasos dropped the first set 1-6, and was down 1-5 in the second set. The Fort Collins, Colo., native won the next six games to tie the match at one set each. Vasos took the third set 6-4 to become one of 16 players in the pre-qualifying stage to advance to qualifying singles.
Sophomore Jonas Dierckx also competed for Iowa, falling in the third round to Illinois State’s Tuomas Manner 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2. Dierckx earned an opening round win and had a bye in the second round on Saturday.
Vasos and Bruche will be competing in the qualifying stage on Monday at the Case Tennis Center. Bruche will face San Diego State’s Javier Pulgar and Vasos will be up against Boise State’s Damian Hume. It takes three victories in qualifying singles to advance to the main draw.
Vasos and Bruche will also be competing together in qualifying doubles on Tuesday. The tandem are ranked No. 41 nationally.
ITA All-American Championships
Pre-Qualifying Sunday Results
Will Vasos (IOWA) def. Chris Camillone (Texas) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
Tuomas Manner (Illinois State) def. Jonas Dierckx (IOWA) 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2
Will Vasos (IOWA) def. Matthias Kidler (USC Upstate) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4