LEXINGTON, Ky. — LSU freshman phenom Jason Hazley fell in the consolation singles championship match of the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships on Sunday as Kentucky?s Evan Austin outlasted him in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.
“Jason did a great job of competing today,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown. “He didn?t get down after losing his first match of the tournament and he definitely came back strong with some huge wins this weekend.”
In front of a raucous crowd at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center in Lexington, Ky., Hazley knocked off Alabama?s 96th-ranked Chris Gostek in the semifinal round of the singles consolation. With the 6-4, 7-6(4) win, the Tigers? freshman from Bradenton, Fla., improved his overall record to 12-7 and earned his second victory over a ranked opponent this season.
On Sunday, the consolation final pitted Hazley against the hometown favorite Austin of Kentucky. Hazley jumped out to an early lead in the match after taking the first set, but then dropped the final two sets of the competition.
“I believe that this has been a great experience for Jason,” Brown said. “Beating a ranked opponent and by playing some of the best tennis players in the conference tough will definitely boost his confidence.”
The 15th-ranked men?s tennis team will open its 2002 dual-match season on Saturday at 10 a.m., as the Tigers are scheduled to face both Centenary and Southern in an opening day doubleheader at the W.T. “Dub” Robinson Tennis Stadium.
SEC Indoor Championships
Consolation Singles Results
Jason Hazley (LSU) def. #96 Chris Gostek (UA), 6-4, 7-6(4).
Evan Austin (UK) def. Jason Hazley (LSU), 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.