Gamecocks to compete in ITA All-Americans

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Five ranked players from South Carolina men’s tennis are in Tulsa, Okla. to compete in the ITA All-American Championships. No. 3 Daniel Rodrigues, No. 16 Connor Thomson and No. 39 Raphael Lambling have been selected to the main draw while No. 49 Toby Samuel and No. 56 James Story will compete in the qualifying rounds. No. 4 pair Rodrigues and Thomson have also been selected to compete in the doubles main draw while Lambling and Story will compete in the qualifying doubles round.
 
“We’ve just finished a three-week training block and now it’s time to compete,” said head coach Josh Goffi. “This is the premier college tennis event in the fall so the best will be there. I’m excited to see how our guys stack up against the best in the country.”
 
Rodrigues enters the competition as the highest ranked singles player in the preseason rankings at No. 3. Four other players from the top 10 will also be competing.
 
Doubles pair Lambling and Story enter the competition perfect on the year with a 3-0 doubles record through one tournament.
 
Despite the All-American Championships being cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Gamecocks are familiar with this tournament. Rodrigues, Lambling, and Thomson all competed in the 2019 draw. Rodrigues is looking to advance after taking an early departure from the first round of the main draw in 2019 while Lambling and Thomson aim to advance through the main draw ranks for the first time in their careers.
 
The tournament began with pre-qualifying rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying rounds will take place on Oct. 4-5, and main draw rounds will run Oct. 6-10. Matches will be played at The University of Tulsa Michael D. Case Center and the Case Tennis Center in LaFortune Park. Live streaming and scoring will be available at streamingtennis.com/tulsa
 
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).