MEMPHIS, Tenn. — LSU men’s tennis player Eric Deroche made a big splash in his first appearance for the Tigers, at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships.
Deroche survived both rounds of qualifying Thursday to advance to the singles main draw on Friday. The sophomore walk-on handily defeated both Murray State’s Yuri Pompeu, 6-2, 6-2, and Clarence Boyd, of Georgia State, 6-4, 6-3.
All four of the Tigers in action were successful in the first round of qualifying. However, only Deroche was able to advance past round two.
Despite the losses, LSU head tennis coach Jeff Brown said he is excited about Deroche’s success and seeing the rest of his players in action Friday.
“I saw a lot of good things today, especially some good wins for Deroche,” said Brown. “I’m looking forward to seeing our guys play tomorrow.”
LSU will have at least eight players competing in the singles main draw and could potentially have nine. There will be a “lucky loser” drawing, where one player who lost in the second round of singles qualifying will be selected to participate in the main draw.
Doubles play will also begin Friday and the Tigers have two teams slated for first round play.
Jonathan Tragardh and Paul White will face Dirk Britzen and Dillon Brozyna, of South Florida. Junior Paul White will team up with freshman Jose Moncada to take on Troy’s Marko Despot and Irving Morales
Wilson ITA Southeast Regional Championships
Singles Qualifying Results
Thursday, Oct. 13
Round of 32
Jonathan Tragardh (LSU) def. Gianfranco Dossena (Florida Atlantic), 6-4, 7-6
Eric Derouche (LSU) def. Yuri Pompeu (Murray St.), 6-2, 6-2
Martel Campbell (LSU) def. Nicolas Kziesotolski (Murray St.), 6-3, 6-0
Kevin Dessauer (LSU) def, Juan Garzon (USM) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6)
Round of 16
(5-8) Vivek Subramanian (Miami) def. Jonathan Tragardh (LSU), 6-3, 6-2
Eric Derouche (LSU) def. (5-8) Clarence Boyd (Georgia St.), 6-4, 6-3
Jacek Twarowski (Georgia St.) def. Martel Campbell (LSU), 6-4, 6-4
Andrew Felsenthal (Alambama) def. Kevin Dessauer (LSU) 6-3, 6-4
Singles Main Draw
Friday, Oct. 14
Round of 128
Will Lefevre (LSU) vs. Irving Morales (Troy), 8 a.m.
Jose Moncada (LSU) vs. Vladimir Paunic (Southeastern La.), 8 a.m.
Colt Gaston (LSU) vs. Jakob Klaeson (Ole Miss), 8 a.m.
Paul White (LSU) vs. Kristijan Mitrovski (UAB), 9 a.m.
James Cluskey (LSU) vs. Billy Mertz (Alabama), 9:15 a.m.
Eric Derouche (LSU) vs. Dan Buikema, 9:30 a.m.
Danny Bryan (LSU) vs. Marko Despot (Troy), 9:45 a.m.
(2) Ken Skupski received bye
Doubles Main Draw
Friday, Oct. 14
Round of 64
Kevin Dessauer/John Tragardh (LSU) vs. Dirk Britzen/Dillon Brozyna (South Florida), 5 p.m.
Jose Moncada/Paul White (LSU) vs. Marko Despot/Irving Morales (Troy), 6:30 p.m.
(5-8) Ken Skupski/James Cluskey (LSU) received bye
(5-8) Danny Bryan/Colt Gaston (LSU) received bye