Pernas ranked No. 14 regionally; Doubles duo listed No. 8

TEMPE, Ariz. (June 9, 2023) – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its NCAA Division I men’s regional year-end rankings on Friday, and ETSU was ranked No. 9 in the Ohio Valley Regional. In addition, Thiago Pernas (Buenos Aires, Argentina) was ranked No. 14 individually, while Pernas and Francisco Lamas (Maracay, Venezuela) were ranked No. 8 in doubles.

As a team, the Bucs swept their way through the Southern Conference Tournament as they blanked The Citadel, Mercer and top-seeded Chattanooga en route to ETSU capturing its fifth straight SoCon crown. The Blue & Gold were battled tested in non-conference play as they took on the likes of Mississippi State, Clemson, Arkansas, Duke and Alabama, but the Blue & Gold took care of business on the court in conference tournament play to continue their run of dominance in the SoCon.

Pernas was stellar in singles and doubles play this 2023 season. The Buccaneer junior led the team with 17 wins and going a perfect 7-0 in conference play. Sixteen of Pernas’ wins came at the No. 2 spot, while he won his lone match at No. 1 singles. Overall, Pernas won his last 12 matches to end the season and led all SoCon players with an .810-win percentage. Pernas was one of two players to go unbeaten in league play as he was joined by teammate Pedro Cressoni, while his 16 wins at No. 2 singles topped all players in the SoCon.

Pernas and Lamas, who were ranked No. 68 nationally as a doubles team by the ITA, went a perfect 6-0 as a duo this past season, including a 3-0 mark in SoCon play. Pernas/Lamas defeated Ohio State’s Andrew Lutschaunig/James Trotter, 6-3, in the first round of ETSU’s match against the Buckeyes in the NCAA Tournament. The Ohio State duo eventually went on to win the NCAA National Championship in doubles.

For a full listing of ITA Regional rankings, please visit wearecollegetennis.com.