Hokie ClubTULSA, Okla. - Virginia Tech senior Albert Larregola (Lleida, Spain) earned a convincing first round victory over UC Irvine's Victor Lamm as the NCAA Men's Singles Tennis Championship began Wednesday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Tulsa.
Ranked 45th in the latest ITA rankings, Larregola made quick work of No. 123 Lamm for the 6-2, 6-2 victory. With the win, the All-ACC honoree became the first Hokie since Stephane Rod in 2005 to reach the round of 32 at the NCAA Championships. He has also this season now defeated seven players who are currently ranked in the top-125. Two of them, No. 5 Daniel Vallverdu (Miami) and No. 24 J.P. Smith (Tennessee), advanced to the next round earlier in the day.
"Albert executed well and did what he needed to do," head coach Jim Thompson said. "He didn't have any nerves and performed like a senior. I was really proud of him."
Larregola will next play the nation's ninth-ranked singles player, Baylor's Denes Lukacs, on Thursday at 2 p.m., Eastern Time. Lukacs defeated No. 36 Adam Holmstrom of Denver, 6-2, 6-1 to advance.
"Tomorrow, Albert will just need to continue to play his game as he's done all year," Thompson said. "His opponent is very good, and he's not going to be scared of Albert, that's for sure. Albert's already beaten some top ranked guys, so I don't think he will be intimidated either. He will have to play well though to advance."
In order for Larregola to become an All-American, he must win Thursday's match to finish as one of the final 16 competitors at the championships.
For complete coverage of the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship including tickets, schedule/results, live scoring and photos, visit http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/sports/m-tennis/spec-rel/tuls-08-w-tennis-central.html. Fans can also watch live video of the matches through the site.