MALIBU, Calif. - University of Hawai'i sophomore Dennis Lajola advanced to the semifinals at the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association West-South Region Championships, Sunday, at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center.

 

Lajola won two matches to earn a semifinals berth against ninth-seeded and No. 65 ranked Omar Altmann of Pepperdine. The sophomore beat fifth-seeded and No. 42 ranked Andres Arango of Arizona in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 in the round of 16. Lajola was clutch and next outlasted Abdullah Magdas of tennis powerhouse USC in a thrilling, exciting three-set match, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6.   

 

UH Senior Sascha Heinemann, seeded No. 8 and ranked No. 53, fell in the round of 16 to Altmann of Pepperdine in a tight three-set decision, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.

 

Eight singles players and four doubles team represented UH in the tournament. The five-day individual singles and doubles tournament includes players from 11 West Region teams. The tournament continues throughout the week.

Wilson/ITA West-South Regional Championships
Singles Round of 16
Omar Altmann (Pepp) def. Sascha Heinemann (UH), 6-2, 6-7, 6-4

Dennis Lajola (UH) def. Andres Arango (UA), 6-4, 6-2

 

Dennis Lajola (UH) def. Abdullah Magdas (USC), 7-6, 6-7, 7-6