CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — One singles player and two doubles teams from LSU moved deeper into the qualifying rounds Tuesday at the ITA All-American Championships.
Senior Jason Hazley beat Irving Morales of Troy in two long sets to move up to the Round of 32.
“Jason did a good job in singles and doubles today,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown. “He’s really come in with the right mindset this year.”
Hazley and Mark Growcott won their doubles match against a pair from Denver, 8-6. Their scheduled match tomorrow was forfeited when two other teams withdrew, allowing Hazley and Growcott to automatically advance to the main draw.
LSU’s pair of freshman Colt Gaston and sophomore Danny Bryan won again Tuesday, this time a 9-7 victory over Arvid Puranen and Stephane Rod of Denver. They fell behind a break early, but broke back twice for the win.
“It was nice to see them step up to the challenge,” Brown said.
Though this is Bryan and Gaston’s first tournament together, the two have moved into the round of 16 in the NCAA’s largest fall tournament. Brown said he is not surprised with their play.
“It just shows that their hard work is paying off,” Brown said. “They have increased their focus and work ethic and shown some improvement.”
Bryan and Gaston play Wednesday at noon against Ricardo Almieda and Dennis Andrade for a chance to advance to the tournament’s main draw quarterfinals.
Hazley will face Antonio Sierra of Central Florida at 9 a.m.
ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Day 5 Results
Qualifying Singles
Round 64
Jason Hazley (LSU) d. (17) Irving Morales (Troy), 7-6(5); 7-5
Qualifying Doubles
Round of 32
(5) Growcott/Hazley (LSU) d. Smole/Zetterholm (UD), 8-6
Bryan/Gaston (LSU) d. Puranen/Rod (VT), 9-7