CHATTANOOGA -- With nearly every Division I school competing in the largest single national tournament event in collegiate tennis, the BYU men's tennis team gained valuable experience in the Icy Hot/ITA Men's All-American Championship.
"Overall, it has been a pretty disappointing tournament for our guys," head coach Brad Pearce said. "As individuals, this gives our team a realistic picture of where they are at. Erik Nyman and Richard Dasek had a chance today to make it to the qualifying round but that was a tough loss."
BYU's Erik Nyman and Richard Dasek defeated Danny Bryan and Brandon Nicholson of Louisiana State University in the second round of the doubles draw 9-8. The two saw their toughest competition of the tournament today as they were ousted by Brandon Allan and Kai Schledom of Middle Tennessee 8-3.
Doubles teams: Tim Bradshaw and Christian Hand; Jose Luis Lechuga and Nima Roshan; Alonzo Medina and Michael Sperry all fell early in the tournament.
Although Bradshaw and Hand defeated Christoph Lerch and Michele Panzeri of Tennessee Tech in the first round of 128 (8-6), the duo later fell in a difficult match to LSU's Colt Gaston and Ken Skupski 8-6.
"On a positive note, Erik Nyman is still in the tournament and the officials allowed our team to have Sunday off," Pearce said. "We've seen some of the best players in the nation over the last couple of week."
BYU's Erik Nyman did not have to play in the pre-qualifying round as he was already placed into the qualifying round. Nyman will begin play Tuesday morning. His opponent is unknown at this point.
Coach Pearce said the team got a glimpse of what collegiate tennis is all about. He hopes each player has gained some valuable experience from this tournament and looks forward to Nyman doing well in the remainder of the individual singles draw.
"We just need to work harder and get better," Pearce said.