Alla Closes Career in NCAA Singles Semifinals

(KALAMAZOO, Mich.) - Carnegie Mellon University men's tennis senior Abhishek Alla closed his collegiate tennis career in the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Singles Championship on Friday, May 27 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With the finish, Alla becomes the second Carnegie Mellon tennis player to reach the NCAA semifinals.

Alla advanced to the semifinals after defeating senior Sam Geier of Kenyon College, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, in the quarterfinals. The win placed Alla in the semifinals for the first time in his career. 

Alla's semifinal opponent was a familiar foe, as he was matched against Sklyer Butts of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The last time Alla and Butts faced each other, Alla defeated Butts in three sets in March. The two also played each other as sophomores when Alla won in two sets for the ITA National Small College Singles Championship in October 2013.

This time Butts was able to top the Tartan senior but not before a tight three-set match. Butts won the first set 6-4 but Alla returned the favor in the second after trailing 2-3. The third set was won by Butts by a 6-3 score, advancing him to his second straight NCAA Singles championship final appearance.

Alla finished his career with an 87-35 singles record and three All-America awards.