Sippel Completes Impressive Run at ITA All-American

Monday, October 2

Tulsa, Okla.

All Day

Boise State

ITA All-American

10/6/2023 4:49:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – Boise State senior Sam Sippel wrapped up an impressive five-day run at the 2023 Intercollegiate Tennis Association's All-American Championships on Friday afternoon in Tulsa, Okla.
The senior from Nuernberg, Germany, went a combined 5-2 overall and 2-2 versus nationally-ranked opponents.

Sippel began play in the qualifying rounds on Monday and Tuesday, going undefeated at 3-0 to become the first Bronco to reach the tournament's main draw since Andy Bettles in 2013. Like Bettles, Sippel reached the main draw consolation quarterfinals before bowing out.

During his run at the ITA All-American, the Bronco senior defeated 84th-ranked Christian Lerby from Santa Clara in straight sets during the third round of qualifying. He then fell in the opening round of the main draw to No. 17 Micah Braswell of Texas.

Following the loss, Sippel moved into the consolation bracket, where he won his first two matches in three sets, including a win over Illinois' Hunter Heck, ranked 74th, in the round of 16.

He closed out the tournament Friday afternoon with a tough three-set defeat 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals at the hands of 23rd-ranked Colton Smith of Arizona.

Quotables

"This was a great experience for Sam to show that he can not only compete against the best in the country but also beat the best in the country," said associate head coach Daniel Hangstefer. "This is a good step forward for the program, but we certainly are taking back some things we can work on. Go Broncos!"

Sippel's Results

Oct. 2 | Qualifying, 1R. Sam Sippel (BSU) def. Gerard Planelles Ripoll (Arkansas) 7-5, 6-1
Oct. 3 | Qualifying, 2R. Sam Sippel (BSU) def. Joubert Klopper (Vanderbilt) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
Oct. 3 | Qualifying, 3R. Sam Sippel (BSU) def. #84 Christian Lerby (Santa Clara) 6-3, 6-2
Oct. 4 | Main Draw, R64. #17 Micah Braswell (Texas) def. Sam Sippel (BSU) 6-1, 6-2
Oct. 5 | Consolation Main Draw, R32. Sam Sippel (BSU) def. Victor Tosetto (Tulsa) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(2)
Oct. 6 | Consolation Main Draw, R16. Sam Sippel (BSU) def. #74 Hunter Heck (Illinois) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
Oct. 6 | Consolation Main Draw, QF. #23 Colton Smith (Arizona) def. Sam Sippel (BSU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-4

Notables

Sippel became the first Bronco since 2013 to reach the main draw at the ITA All-American Championships and the 10th since 2000.
Sippel is the eighth Bronco to win a match either in the main draw or consolation main draw since 2000 and the first since 2013.
Sippel's 5-2 record at the tournament is the second-best for a Bronco since 2000, behind current head coach Luke Shield's run of 5-1 at the 2004 competition.