Pair of Bulldogs Set For Pre-Qualifying Action At ITA All-American

Saturday, October 1

Tulsa, Okla.

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Mississippi State

ITA All-American Championships

Bulldogs prepare for prestigious ITA All-American Championships.

Pair of Bulldogs Set For Pre-Qualifying Action At ITA All-American

September 30, 2016 | Men's Tennis

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – Prequalifying play kicks off at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's All-American Championships on Saturday, as two members of the Mississippi State men's tennis team compete in singles action.

This marks the 12th-straight year that the University of Tulsa will serve as the official tournament host, and most of the action during the two-week event will take place on the courts of the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

"We're very excited about this year's ITA All-American because we will have six players competing," head coach Matt Roberts said. "We have a great opportunity ahead of us to improve and develop, while also earning great exposure for each player individually at this prestigious tournament."

The sophomore duo of Trevor Foshey and Strahinja Rakic will be competing in pre-qualifying singles action starting on Saturday. The qualifying round beings on Monday, Oct. 3, with senior Vaughn Hunter and sophomore Niclas Braun representing the Bulldogs, while senior and 26th ranked Mate Cutura and 43rd ranked Nuno Borges start competition on Thursday, Oct. 6 in the main draw.

Last season, then freshman Braun took three singles matches in pre-qualifying action at the ITA All-American Championships. The Berlin native finished the fall with nine singles wins, before compiling a team-high 27 victories for the 2015-16 season overall.

In doubles play, the 19th ranked pair of Cutura and Hunter are in the main draw, while Braun and Foshey start out in the qualifying round with Borges and Rakic serving as the second alternate for the qualifying doubles as well.

Singles quarterfinalists, doubles finalists and consolation champions will reviece an automatic entry into the 2016 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships on Nov. 3-6, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

Up Next
When competition is compete at the ITA All-American, the Bulldogs travel south to Houston, Texas for the USTA Futures held on Oct. 7-16.

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