Skillman, N.J. – Senior Victor Pugliese (Boulogne, France/CNED [San Diego]) and sophomore Przemyslaw Filipek (Bedzin, Poland/Second Lo [Silesia]) have been selected to compete in singles and doubles play at the 2014 Saint Francis Health System ITA Men's All-American Championships, Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) officials announced this week. The championship event is slated for September 27-October 2 at the Michael Case Tennis Center at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The main draw selects the top players in the country based on national ranking, while the qualifying draw is 64 players with the final 16 players advancing to the main draw. The pre-qualifying draw is compiled of 256 players vying for 16 spots in the qualifying draw. Pugliese, who is the eighth alternate into the qualifying draw and will be seeded eighth in the pre-qualifying singles, and Filipek are selected for the pre-qualifying singles draw.
The main draw doubles is the top 32 teams in the country with 64 teams selected for the qualifying with the final eight teams advancing to the main draw. The MU duo was added to the qualifying draw at the annual event.
“Having two players selected for the ITA All-American Championship is a very big step for our program,” commented head coach Cory Hubbard, who, in his first full year, guided the Hawks to a 6-1 league mark and a trip to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) finals. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our guys to compete with the best players in the country and really put Monmouth tennis on the national scene.”
Pugliese, the 2014 MAAC Player of the Year, turned in one of the best individual seasons in recent memories. The No. 1 singles player registered a 22-4 overall record, including a 16-1 dual match record. The Frenchman enters the year unbeaten in his last 16 dual matches, etching 14 wins in the process, while totaling 13 total wins in doubles play en route to All-MAAC Second Team Doubles honors.
Filipek joined the Hawks last spring and played in 19 singles matches, posting a 13-6 overall mark with a nine wins coming at No. 2 singles. The Poland native, who was named the MAAC and ECAC Player of the Week in April, was named to the All-MAAC Second Team at No. 2 singles, while also being added to the second team at No. 3 doubles after going 10-2 with teammate Bee Kumthonkittikul.
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