Men’sTennis: Dolan And Galka Have Strong Showings At ITA All-American Championships

David Collins, Athletics Communications Assistant

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TULSA, Okla. – Junior Pearse Dolan won two matches, including taking down a member of Wake Forest, the defending National Champions, while freshman Jan Galka made it to the Pre-Qualifying Round of 32, winning three matches along the way to pace Louisiana Men’s Tennis at the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships.

DOLAN MAKES A STATEMENT: Dolan began the Pre-Qualifying round by facing off with Wake Forest’s Alan Gadjiev, who was heavily involved in the lineup for the Demon Deacon’s 2018 National Championship.  Dolan and Gadjiev went back-and-forth during the first set, with a tiebreaker deciding the set.  Dolan came out on the winning end taking the first set 7-6(8), before then working hard to keep Gadjiev at bay during the second set, to come away with the straight set, 7-6(8), 6-4 win.

Dolan then faced off with New Mexico’s Stepan Holis, with the match going the distance, becoming a three-set battle.  Dolan held off Holis in the first set, winning in a tiebreaker, 7-6(4), before dropping the second set 6-4 to force a deciding third set.

In that third set, Dolan took control, handling Holis during the set, winning 6-3, to come away with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 win to move into the Round of 64.  Although Dolan would drop his next match to Georgia Southern’s Diego Finkelstein, Dolan had already staked himself a solid weekend as he continues to have a good fall season.

GALKA STORMS ONTO THE SCENE: Galka made a deep run of his own through the Pre-Qualifying rounds, winning three matches, beginning with a three-set battle against Charlotte’s Constandinos Christoforou.  Galka took the first set, 6-3, but fell in a tough second set tiebreaker, 7-6(3) to head into a third set.  During that third set, Galka finished what he started taking the set 6-3 to win the match, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 to advance in the bracket.

St. Johns’ Alan Aguilera was up next and Galka carried his momentum into that match, dominating from start to finish to come away with a straight set win, 6-1, 6-4.  In the Round of 64 Galka faced off with Iowa’s Jonas Larsen, and much like in the previous match, Galka dominated winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to move into the Round of 32.

Unfortunately, Galka fell in his next match, 6-3, 6-4, to Virginia’s Ryan Goetz to end his run.  But the statement had already been made in some of the toughest competition the young Louisiana freshman has faced so far in his collegiate career.

QUOTEWORTHY:
(Luc Godin, Associate Head Coach):
"We are extremely pleased with how both Dolan and Galka performed this weekend.  They both proved that they can compete against top competition, and that’s important.  Dolan has made a huge jump from last season and has improved greatly.  It was a disappointment to not see him qualify but in the past two weeks he has put together top performances and has really proven that he could be a top player in the Sun Belt this upcoming season."

Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships
September 29-September 30 at Tulsa, Okla.
Singles Pre-Qualifying:
Pearse Dolan (LA) def. Alan Gadjiev (WF) 7-6(8), 6-4 (First Round)
Dolan (LA) def. Stepan Holis (NM) 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 (Second Round)
Diego Finkelstein (GS) def. Dolan (LA) 6-4, 6-4 (Round of 64)
Jan Galka (LA) def. Constandinos Christoforou (CHA) 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 (First Round)
Galka (LA) def. Alan Aguilera (SJU) 6-1, 6-4 (Second Round)
Galka (LA) def. Jonas Larsen (Iowa) 6-4, 6-2 (Round of 64)
Ryan Goetz (UV) def. Galka (LA) 6-3, 6-4 (Round of 32)
Bennett Crane (IU) def. Arthur Libaud (LA) 6-3, 6-2 (First Round)
Roberto Rosales (SMU) def. Elio Lago (LA) 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-3 (First Round)

Singles Pre-Qualifying Consolation:
Kevin Lam (TXAM) def. Libaud (LA) 6-2, 6-3
Luka Sucevic (SJU) def. Lago (LA) 7-5, 6-1

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