Thomson and da Silva Tabbed ITA All-Americans
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two Gamecocks from the South Carolina men’s tennis team were tabbed Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Americans, announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.
Connor Thomson earned All-American honors in both singles and doubles, while Lucas da Silva received All-American recognition in doubles.
Thomson posted a 14-4 overall singles record during the dual match season, including an impressive 10-2 mark in conference play while competing at the No. 1 (7-4), No. 2 (2-0), and No. 3 (5-0) positions. He notched seven wins over ranked opponents, highlighted by a clutch 6-3, 6-1 victory over No. 25 Alex Kotzen of Tennessee. Thomson was a late lineup shift to the No. 1 spot against then-No. 18 Volunteers, and his win helped lift the Gamecocks carry out a 4-3 upset.
Thomson wrapped up the season ranked No. 17 in singles, a season high. Alongside da Silva the two Gamecocks finished at No. 7 in doubles but previously reached a high of No. 3 which marks the second highest doubles ranking in program history. The Scotland native was ranked in singles every week of the dual match season except the first, and in doubles with da Silva for six weeks. He closed the season with four consecutive weeks ranked in the top 50 for singles and has remained inside the top four in doubles for the four consecutive rankings.
Thomson clinched five matches throughout the season, including two against top-12 teams. In March, he staged a three-set comeback to defeat Alan Magadan 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, helping the Gamecocks topple then-No. 12 Texas A&M 4-2. During the SEC Tournament, Thomson powered South Carolina back to the championship match for just the second time in program history, sealing a thrilling 0-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) win over No. 29 Benito Sanchez Martinez of then-No. 12 Mississippi State to secure the 4-3 team victory. For his standout performances, Thomson was named SEC Player of the Week twice this season (Feb. 26 and April 9).
Lucas da Silva held a 24-15 overall singles record this season, including a 11-9 mark in dual matches while competing at the No. 2 (9-7) and No. 3 (2-2) positions. He secured six wins over ranked opponents and earned a spot in the NCAA Individual Championships in singles after reaching the finals of the ITA East Sectional Championship during the fall.
In doubles, da Silva owns a 11-7 overall record with Thomson. The duo had a dominant season, recording an eight-match win streak that spanned an entire month and picking up five ranked victories, all against top-68 opponents. One of their biggest wins came in February, when they defeated No. 9 Billy Blaydes and Will Nolan of then-No. 35 Auburn, helping the Gamecocks to a 6-1 upset over the Tigers.
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