ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The men’s tennis duo of Hayden Sabatka and Bart Van Leijsen have been selected to participate in the UTSA/ITA Indoor Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York. They are one of 20 teams to earn this honor.
The USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships is the only tournament on the ITA calendar that hosts elite players from every level of college tennis. According to ITA, this tournament serves as an accumulation of the fall season play. The event features 32 singles players and 20 doubles teams or both men and women.
“It feels incredible to go to New York and play against the best teams in the country,” said Van Leijsen. “It will be great to play on the courts of the U.S. Open. It’s also my first time playing in New York, so that will be exciting.”
His partner, Sabatka, noted that their work at the All-Americans and the regional tournament are accomplishments the pair have made that allowed them to be a candidate for this selection.
The pair entered into an ITA At-large selection based on the quality of their play in the Fall season. The pair was preseason ranked no. 29 in the nation in doubles, beat the no. 4 ranked team and made it to the quarterfinals of the ITA All-American Championships in October.
“It’s a big honor for Bart and Hayden, and for UNM to be selected as an at large for the indoors,” said head coach Bart Scott. “They’ve had a great fall and are excited for the opportunity. I want to thank the ITA and the USTA on behalf of our team and university for this opportunity. We’ve been represented at this event a few times in recent history and know how special the event is.”
The last Lobo to be selected for this tournament in singles play was Sam Iftikhar in 2013. In double’s play, Jadon Philips and Phil Anderson qualified in 2012, Max Jones and Kamil Padjkowski in 2006, Ryan Stotland and David Kowalski in 2005 and Nick Dubey and Matt Amegwerd in 1999.
Current head coach Scott qualified for this prestigious event in 2002 as well. This year’s tournament will be held November 12-15 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Sabatka, Van Leijsen Selected For Prestigious Tournament
