Pearson Earns Spot in Singles Championship at ITA Central Regional Championships

Sunday, October 27

Norman, Okla.

All Day

Tulsa

ITA Central Regional Championships

Photo by: Bill Powell

Pearson Earns Spot in Singles Championship at ITA Central Regional Championships

10/27/2019 6:33:00 PM | Men's Tennis

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Tulsa's Kody Pearson clinched a spot in Monday's singles championship match at the 2019 ITA Central Regional Championships. The championships, which are being hosted by Oklahoma and played at the Headington Family Tennis Center, has featured 16 teams from across the region.

Pearson, the third seed in the championships, upset second-seeded Kareem Allaf from Iowa in his semifinals match on Sunday afternoon. Pearson secured the decisive first set in a tiebreak, ultimately winning 7-6(8), 6-2.

With the win, he improves to 5-2 in singles play this season. He also moves to 1-1 in nationally ranked contests, as the Hawkeye started the fall campaign ranked 69th in the 2019-20 Oracle ITA Division I Men's Preseason National Rankings. Pearson is currently ranked 96th.

Pearson is set to face Minnesota's Stefan Milicevic in the championship match at 12 noon. The senior Gopher, who is the fourth seed and ranked 93rd in the preseason rankings, secured the second spot in the singles championship by defeating fellow Gopher Vlad Lobak 3-6, 6-0, 6-1. The match is set to take place on OU's outdoor courts, and will not be available via live stream.

By securing a spot in the singles championship match, Pearson has earned an automatic bid to the 2019 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships in Newport Beach, Calif., starting Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Before his afternoon tilt against Allaf, Pearson started the day off in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, he defeated ninth-seeded Stefano Tsorotiotis from Oklahoma in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

Results and updated draws will be listed as they become available on the OU tournament central page.

For all Tulsa men's tennis news and information, visit TulsaHurricane.com.

Sunday's Results
[3] Kody Pearson (Tulsa) def. [9] Stefano Tsorotiotis (Oklahoma) 6-2, 6-4
[3] Kody Pearson (Tulsa) def. [2] Kareem Allaf (Iowa) 7-6 (8-6), 6-2

Monday's Schedule
[3] Kody Pearson (Tulsa) vs. [4] Stefan Milicevic (Minnesota) -- 12 noon