North Carolina State University Athletics
NC States Lucas Joins Jackson in T. Rowe Price Tourney
9/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Baltimore, MD (Sept. 20) - NC States Matt Lucas used a lot of skill and little luck to qualify for the main draw of the T. Rowe Price National Clay Court Championships in Baltimore, MD, on Sept. 20. Lucas joins NC States All-ACC honoree Eric Jackson in the tournament, the first time in school history that the Wolfpack has placed two players in the main draw of a collegiate grand slam tournament.
After defeating Jakub Illowski of Lousiana-Lafayette 7-6 (7-0), 2-6, 6-4 in the morning, Lucas fell to Mika Kangas of Southern Mississippi 6-2, 6-2 in the qualifying round of the tournament. However, Lucas was admitted to the main draw via the Lucky Loser stipulation. In this scenario, the losers of the qualifying round are placed into a hat and are drawn at random. Lucas was selected and will face Rene Combette of Mississippi State on Sept. 21.
Matt just ran out of gas there at the end, said head coach Eric Hayes.
He had just finished a three-hour match earlier today and gave it all he had. Its all right, though, because its early in the season and well be in better condition as the year progresses. The great thing about today is that, now, we have two guys in the tournament. Weve never had that before. This is definitely a big step for us.
Jackson, ranked 73rd nationally, will face 23rd-ranked Peter Handoyo from Tennessee in the first round. The tournament will run through Sept. 24.
