Hoole Picks up Spot in Main Draw, Upsets Top-15 Player
Tulsa, Okla. – South Carolina men’s tennis junior Casey Hoole earned a lucky loser spot into the main draw of the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he fell in the first round but bounced back to claim the highest ranked win of his career in the consolation bracket.
Hoole had initially come up just short of the main draw after falling in the third round of the qualifying draw, but was granted a lucky loser spot to make the first All-American main draw appearance of his career.
In the round of 64, No. 59 Hoole faced No. 24 Etienne Donnet of Louisville. The Gamecock claimed the first set off of his higher-ranked counterpart, but Donnet battled back to take the next two sets to advance.
Hoole then moved to the consolation draw where he took on No. 11 Karlis Ozolins of Illinois. Despite the gap between the two players in the rankings, Hoole made defeating Ozolins look like light work, taking him down in a near-shutout 6-1, 6-0 match. The win marks the highest ranked win of Hoole’s career.
In the consolation round of 16, Hoole advanced on a default after his scheduled opponent declared and injury-related walkover, moving Hoole to the quarterfinals.
The Brisbane, Australia, native’s fortune ran out in the quarterfinals where he fell to No. 62 Max Westphal of Columbia in a 6-4, 6-4 result.
Hoole’s completion of the All-American Championships completes the event for the team. The Gamecocks will be in action next at the ITA Carolina Region Championships that will take place in Cary, N.C., Oct. 20-24.
For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).
ITA All-American Championship Results
Main Draw Singles Round of 64
(24) Etienne Donnet (Louisville) def. (59) Casey Hoole (SC) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Consolation Draw Singles Round of 32
(59) Casey Hoole (SC) def. (11) Karlis Ozolins (Ill.) 6-1, 6-0
Consolation Draw Singles Quarterfinals
(62) Max Westphal (Columbia) def. (59) Casey Hoole (SC) 6-4, 6-4
