May 2, 2012
Somen selected to NCAA singles field
Tech senior earns second consecutive at-large bid to national tournament

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Subcommittee has selected Virginia Tech’s Luka Somen as one of the 64 singles players that will compete in the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championships hosted by the University of Georgia May 23-28 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

“Luka has put in a lot of hard work this year and throughout his career,” said head coach Jim Thompson. “This is another example of how his hard work has paid off. Luka is extremely dedicated and has always represented the Hokies well. He deserves this honor and I am very proud of him.”

A three-time All-ACC honoree, this marks Somen’s second straight at-large bid to the national field. Somen is currently ranked 48th in the latest ITA standings. He has compiled a 29-10 overall record this season, including a 15-6 mark in the No. 1 during spring duals. In addition, Somen posted a 10-8 record against ranked opponents. He earned ACC Player of the Week honors after defeating ranked opponents in three consecutive matches.

Somen joins former Hokies Yoann Re (2010, 2011), Andreas Laulund (2003, 2004), Aaron Marchetti (1998, 1999) and Oliver Mayo (1996, 1997) as the only two time qualifiers in Virginia Tech program history.

Prior to the singles competition, Somen will join his team in Gainesville, Fla. for its sixth consecutive trip to the NCAAs. The 45th-ranked Hokies will face No. 23 Harvard on Saturday, May 12 in the opening round at UF’s Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The winner of the match will advance to Sunday’s second round to face the winner of the Florida versus Navy match.

Complete 2012 NCAA Men's Tennis singles and doubles field can be found here.

For updates on Virginia Tech men's tennis, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_MTennis).

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