ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Senior Nam Pham was the lone remaining Illinois State student-athlete to compete on Saturday at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and battled to three sets before ultimately being defeated as the Redbirds wrapped up action at the annual tournament.
"I couldn't be prouder of how Nam played today," ISU head coach Mark Klyser stated. "Literally a couple points decided the whole match. When you have an entire building watching your match and cheering for you, that's a special feeling for sure and it's too bad we couldn't get the win, but boy did he play well. It could be the best I've seen him play in his career here at Illinois State."
Pham won the first set 7-6, taking down Bryce Nakashima of Ohio State by a score of 7-2 in the tiebreaker. Nakashima then fought back to win the second set 6-1 to send the match to a third and deciding set. That final set was a battle as well, going to a tiebreaker with Nakashima winning 7-4 to ultimately take the match by a final of 6-7, 6-1, 7-6.
The ITA Midwest Regional was the final fall tournament for the Redbirds, who will resume action on January 19 at Tulsa.
RESULTS:
Singles Main Draw Round 1:
Bryce Nakashima (OSU) def. Nam Pham 6-7, 6-1, 7-6
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