TULSA, Okla. - After two wins Arizona's
Colton Smith and
Jay Friend have qualified for the NCAA Individual Championships after winning in semifinals today at the ITA All-American Championships.
This morning, No.5 Smith was matched up against No. 14 Thomas Paulsell of Georgia. Smith collected a huge 6-4, 6-2 win over his opponent, punching his ticket to the NCAA Individual Championships. The win marked Smith's fourth ranked singles victory of the weekend.
No. 15
Jay Friend was up against No. 33 Braden Shick of NC State. After dominating his first set 6-2, Friend fell in his second 4-6. With a ticket to NCAA's on the line, Friend held off Shick in an epic third set breaker to win the match 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2). Friend also tallied a total of four ranked singles wins over the weekend. Both Friend and Smith technically moved on to the consolation final, where they did not end up competing.
The NCAA Individual Championships will take place from Nov. 19 - Nov. 24 at Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas.