CHAPEL HILL, NC – The North Carolina A&T junior Kaua Santos added to a history-making period of men's tennis on Thursday by qualifying for the International Tennis Association (ITA) Regionals main draw.

Santos's graduate teammate Ian Pedersen also competed well on Thursday. ITAs are hosted by the University of North Carolina at the Chewning Tennis Court.  

"Kaua was outstanding," said A&T head men's tennis coach Dejon Bivens. "His hard work is paying off in a big way. Ian battled all the way to a tough third set – pure heart and grit."

Pedersen lost to Coastal Carolina's Jack Dixon 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. Meanwhile, Santos opened the tournament with a win over the College of Charleston's Eddie Vo, defeating Vo 7-5, 7-5. It was a close match that Santos described as one in which he played decently but made too many mistakes.

"But with energy and heart, I gave myself an opportunity to play better in the next round," Santos said. 

That next round came against the University of North Carolina Charlotte's Emilio Sanchez. Santos knocked off Sanchez 7-6 (4), 6-3 to qualify for the main draw. Santos trailed Sanchez 5-4 in the first set before rallying to win the tiebreaker.

"I played very well and solid," said Santos. "I was aggressive and very intense in the entire match. I am pretty confident and happy with my performances, but I still have a lot of work ahead."

Santos will continue to play in the ITA Regionals throughout the weekend.

FIRST ROUND ITA RESULTS
Kaua Santos (A&T) def. Eddie Vo (CofC) 7-5, 7-5
Jack Dixon (Coastal) def. Ian Pedersen (A&T) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1

SECOND ROUND ITA RESULTS
Kaua Santos (A&T) def. Emilio Sanchez (UNCC) 7-6 (4), 6-3
Alex de Gabriele (UNCW) def. Santos 5-7, 6-2, 6-2