Kwiatkowski Advances in ITA All-American Qualifying

Story Links

Sept. 29, 2014

TULSA, Okla. – The Virginia men’s tennis team had two players in action Monday as qualifying play began at the ITA All-American Championships on the campus of the University of Tulsa. Sophomore Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (Charlotte, N.C.) advanced to the second round of qualifying, while junior Mac Styslinger (Birmingham, Ala.) suffered a first round loss.

Kwiatkowski, a 25-32 seed, avenged the only loss of his collegiate career, defeating Kevin Metka of Ohio State, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of qualifying. Metka’s 6-5(5), 5-6(5), 6-5(10) win at No. 5 singles in last year’s ITA National Team Indoor semifinals marks the only blemish on Kwiatkowski’s career 25-1 singles record. Kwiatkowski, who needs two more wins in qualifying to advance to the main draw, plays Martin Redlicki of UCLA in the second round on Tuesday.

Styslinger, a 17-24 seed, suffered a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss to Ricky Medinilla of Purdue in the first round. He will play in the qualifying consolation draw on Tuesday.

Kwiatkowski looks to become the third Cavalier in the main draw of the tournament as senior Mitchell Frank (Annandale, Va.) and junior Ryan Shane (Falls Church, Va.) gained direct entry due to their preseason ranking. Virginia has won the ITA All-American singles title an unprecedented four consecutive years (Alex Domijan in 2010 and 2012; Mitchell Frank in 2011 and 2013). This week, Frank looks to become the first three-time champion in the tournament’s 36-year history.