ATHENS, Ga. — Seniors Michal Chmela and Tom Hand’s singles careers came to an end Wednesday as both lost in the NCAA singles tournament first round.
Chmela, a two-time singles all-American, lost to Alex Waske of San Diego State 6-2, 6-4.
Done with singles, Chmela will begin competition in the doubles tournament on Thursday when he and Dan Kiernan take on Daniel Andersson and Frank Moser of Virginia Commonwealth.
Competing in the NCAA singles tournament for the first time, Hand lost to second-seeded Brian Vahaly of Virginia 3-6, 7-6, 6-2. Each player would have needed to reach the round of 16 to automatically earn all-American status. Due to the loss, both Chmela, ranked No. 23 and Hand, ranked No. 20, must be ranked in the top 20 in the final ranking on June 1 to be singles All-Americans.