ORLANDO, FLA – The NC State duo of Joseph Wayand and Rafa Izquierdo Luque became the first All-Americans since the 2021, but also saw their season come to an end.
Thursday evening at the NCAA doubles championships the duo defeated Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas of Duke in their first match, but fell to Pepperdine in the second match of the day.
Wayand and Izquierdo Luque became the first doubles duo to achieve All-American status in 42 years.
“We are all very proud of Joe and Rafa being crowned All Americans from this tournament,” head coach Kyle Spencer said. “Their play was fantastic throughout the tournament and what a season they had with winning the ITA regional and then being fantastic in the ACC season as well as nationally.”
Wayand and Izquierdo Luque came into the NCAA championships ranked No. 14 in the nation and were named third team All-ACC.
“They both deserve all the accolades they got for a tremendous season,” Spencer added.
In the first match of the day versus Duke, Izquierdo Luque and Wayand secured All-American status by sweeping Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas, 7-5, 7-6. Johns and Rodenas were ranked No. 25 in the last ITA standings, giving Wayand and Izquierdo their fourth win this season over a ranked opponent. It’s the highest ranked team they’ve defeated all year.
In the first set Izquierdo Luque and Wayand jumped out to a commanding 4-1 lead before the Blue Devils tied the set at five.
Izquierdo Luque and Wayand were up to the challenge and slammed the door on the Blue Devils comeback to maintain momentum. The Wolfpack duo rode that wave into the second set, going ahead 2-1 early.
There was a bit more adversity in the second set. With their backs against the wall, Duke took a 4-2 lead. Izquierdo Luque and Wayand stayed within striking distance, eventually pulling to within a point (5-4). Izquierdo Luque and Wayand tied the match at five and took a 6-5 lead. Johns and Rodenas tied it at six, but Izquierdo Luque and Wayand took control in the tiebreaker set, holding on for the 7-6 win.
With their victory, Izquierdo Luque and Wayand became the first All-Americans for NC State tennis since the 2021 postseason.
The day was over, though, for the duo.
Wayand and Izquierdo Luque next faced Daniel De Jonge and Tim Zeitvogel of Pepperdine.
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