Texas Tech University Athletics
Soares Soars into NCAA Singles Quarterfinals
May 22, 2015 | Men's Tennis
Felipe Soares becomes the first Red Raider to ever advance into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Singles Championship with a three-set victory over USC's Jonny Wang.
May 22, 2015
LUBBOCK, Texas - The record book continues to be rewritten by Felipe Soares.
So why would a rainy Friday afternoon in Waco, Texas be any different? It was not.
The junior All-American defeated No. 45 Jonny Wang of Southern California (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) to become the first Red Raider in program history to advance into the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships.
"This was for sure the best match of my life," Soares said. "I played very well and my coach is amazing. I was just feeling confident as I've been waiting on this tournament since the beginning of the year. I knew how he played because I've played him before. I knew what I was supposed to do in order to win."
With the three-set victory, Soares avenged an early-season loss to Wang at the ITA All-American in Tulsa where he fell in straight sets (6-3, 6-3) back in October.
"What an absolutely incredible performance," head coach Tim Siegel said. "Felipe played to win that final set. He showed tremendous confidence and focus while being aggressive at just the right times. There is without a doubt though, his serve was the difference today."
The 37th-ranked player in the country hits the singles' court again on Saturday to face Ryan Shane of Virginia at 12pm CT. Shane advanced after dispelling of Texas A&M's Jeremy Efferding in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
