Men’s Tennis concludes ITA Regional Championships

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 22, 2024) – The NAU men’s tennis team competed in the ITA Regional Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. The lumberjacks who traveled to the tournament were novices Kai MillsFreshmen Jakub VoleskySecond semester Seeds AgynskyySecond semester Jakub PracharJunior Takumi Katsuda and senior Dani Torres.

In doubles, no Lumberjack pair won a match, with the pair of Volesky and Katsuda coming closest, losing 8-7 (6) in the tiebreaker to a pair from the University of Utah.

The Lumberjacks had more success in singles. Torres made it the furthest in the main draw as a NAU player and reached the quarterfinals. En route to the quarterfinals, he defeated No. 2 seed BYU senior Wally Thayne in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Agynskyy was the second lumberjack in the peloton. He began the first round with a strong blow over Idaho sophomore Yu-Shun Lai, 6-2, 6-0. However, the Ukrainian’s time in the tournament was short-lived after he lost to No. 5 seed Utah junior Berk Bugarikj. Agynskyy struggled in the second set but lost in the tiebreak 6-2, 7-6(2).

The other four Lumberjacks competed in the qualifying draw. Katsuda picked up a win in the draw, beating BYU junior Alex Edmonston 6-4, 6-4. Katsuda’s next game was lost to No. 12 seed Denver senior Rikuto Yamaguchi 6-3, 6-4.

Prachar secured a first-round bye in the qualifying draw as he was seeded number 3. In the second round, Prachar lost to Utah State senior David Martirosian 7-6(3), 6-4.

Mills took a 1-1 lead and secured his win in the consolation bracket or qualifying draw. Mills’ victory came against Utah sophomore Nicolas Calixto in a third-set tiebreaker, winning 6-2, 4-6, 10-4.

Volesky went 0-1 with a loss to BYU sophomore Otto Schreiner, 6-2, 6-3.

The Lumberjacks will now travel to Phoenix to compete in the GCU Hidden Duels hosted by Grand Canyon University. To stay up to date on NAU Tennis, follow the Jacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.