White Concludes Play In Prequalifiers At ITA All-American

TULSA, Okla. - After a third round singles victory in prequalifying action on Sunday at the ITA All-American Championships, Mississippi State sophomore Zach White fell in a tough three-set duel in the final round of the draw.

White earned a first-round bye on Saturday and advanced past his second round opponent in easy fashion. In the third round Sunday, White faced Hunter Nicholas of San Diego State who was no easy match-up, but White ultimately prevailed 6-2, 7-6(9). In the fourth and final round, with a trip to the qualifying rounds on the line, White went head-to-head with TCU's Nick Chappelle. In a grueling three-set battle, White took the first set 6-4. but Chappelle battled back to claim a very close 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(8) decision.

Despite the loss, White was selected as a lucky loser to advance to the qualifying rounds after reaching the final round of prequalifying. Both White and Bulldog teammate James Chaudry, ranked 73rd in the ITA preseason polls, begin action in the first round of qualifiers Monday. Chaudry faces Andre Stenger of Nebraska in his first round match-up at 8 a.m. CT while White takes on Texas A&M's Alberto Bautista at 11 a.m. To advance to main draw, which starts Thursday, the two must each win three matches in the qualifiers. Also, in the qualifying rounds of doubles will be MSU's tandem of senior George Coupland and White.

Three other Bulldogs are already entered into the main draw. including the 27th-ranked Coupland, senior Louis Cant, ranked 36th, and #46 sophomore Malte Stropp. In the main draw of doubles action is the seventh-ranked Bulldog tandem of Cant and Stropp.

 

The ITA All-American Championship is the first collegiate major of the year.