CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Hawai'i's Andre Ilagan saw his season come to an end with a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-0 loss to Alabama's Filip Planinsek Monday in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Singles Championships at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.
 
Ilagan overcame two match points in the second set but could not overcome a 3-0 deficit in the final set. Planinsek advances to the Round of 32.
 
The Honolulu native was just the second Rainbow Warrior to compete in the championship and first since Andreas Weber in 2007.
 
Ilagan led 3-1 in the opening set before Planinsek reeled off five straight games to take Set 1, 6-3. In Set 2, the Farrington High School product led 40-0 with three set point at 6-5 before Planinsek scored four straight points to force a tie-breaker.
 
In the tie-breaker, Planinsek had two match points at 6-4 but Ilagan rallied back. He scored three straight points to go ahead 7-6 and a forehand winner closed out the set to even the match at a set apiece.
 
Planinsek broke Ilagan early and held serve twice to jump out to a quick 3-0 lead in Set 3. Ilagan was able to hold his serve twice, but eventually fell, 6-2 in the final frame.
 
Ilagan finishes 2022 after the most decorated season for a Rainbow Warrior tennis player. In addition to competing in the NCAA Championships, Ilagan was voted Big West Player of the Year, earned Big West first team honors in both singles and doubles, won the Bonham Award (UH's highest athletic award), and last week was selected to the CoSIDA All-Academic District 8 first team.