LAKELAND, Fla. – Valdosta State men's tennis junior Takeshi Taco earned a berth in the men's singles ITA South Regional final Monday morning at 9 a.m. 
 
Taco, a native of Lima, Peru, and transfer from Cowley County Community College (Kan.) is off to a strong start as a Blazer as he downed Richard Stoiberer of Rollins (7-6 (7-3), 6-1 in the Round of 64, while he defeated Chris Fok Kow (Florida Southern) 6-4, 6-2 in the Round of 32.   He then defeated Jao Ferreira of Barry, 6-2, 6-2, to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. 
 
He then went on to defeat Bernardo Costa of West Florida, 6-2, 6-2.  In the semifinals, he had to face junior teammate Boruch Skierkier as Taco dropped his first set of the tournament, but rallied for a 7-6 victory in the second set with a 7-3 win in the tiebreaker and then moved onto the finals as Skierkier had to retire.  
 
Taco will face Adam Lynch of Barry.  Lynch was a freshman for the Buccaneers last season helping lead the team to the national title. 
 
In doubles, Taco was paired with senior Rodrigo Carvalho as the duo lost in the semifinals, while Skierkier and senior Christian Wedel also lost in the semifinals.  Wedel reached the quarterfinals of the singles, falling to Sebastian Sotelo of West Florida, 6-1, 6-2.
 
Taco will be looking to advance to the 2023 ITA Cup taking place in Rome, Ga., Oct. 12-16.  Current Blazer senior Luca Mack qualified for the ITA Cup last season and fell in the championship match.
 
The results of the men's regional are below or visit the entire draw by clicking here.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for a recap of Taco's title match later this afternoon.
 
Blazer Men's Tennis Singles
 
R-64
Boruch Skierkier (VSU) def. Mario Kirkov (Eckerd) 6-1, 6-1
Takeshi Taco VSU) def. Richard Stoiberer (Rollins) 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
Mateo Martinez (West Florida) def. Rodrigo Carvalho (VSU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
Christian Wedel (VSU) def. Luca Hoffmann (Delta State) 6-1, 6-0
 
R-32
Borouch Skierkier (VSU) def. Matthew Young (Palm Beach Atlantic) 4-0, Ret.
Takeshi Taco (VSU) def. Chris Fok Kow (Florida Southern) 6-4, 6-2
Christian Wedel (VSU) def. Dylan Andrianaly (Saint Leo) 6-1, 6-4
 
R-16
Boruch Skierkier (VSU) def. Alex Benichou Blanchard (Mississippi College) 6-2, 6-4
Takeshi Taco (VSU) def. Jao Ferreira (Barry) 6-2, 6-2
Christian Wedel (VSU) def. Tim Riedel (Barry) 6-3, 3-6, 10-7
 
Quarterfinals
Boruch Skierkier (VSU) def. Joshua Nuyts (Embry-Riddle) 6-1, 6-1
Takeshi Taco (VSU) def. Bernardo Costa (West Florida) 6-2, 6-2
Sebastian Sotelo (West Florida) def. Christian Wedel (VSU) 6-1, 6-2
 
Semifinals
Takeshi Taco (VSU) def. Boruch Skierkier (VSU) 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-0 Ret.
 
Final – 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25
Takeshi Taco (VSU) vs. Adam Lynch (Barry)
 
Consolation Singles
Federico Iturbe (West Florida) def. Rodrigo Carvalho (VSU) 1-0, Ret.

Doubles
 
R-32
Taco/Carvalho (VSU) def. Platas/Fernandez (Palm Beach Atlantic) 8-5
Wedel/Skierkier (VSU) def. Sabio/Benichou Blanchard (Mississippi College) 8-7 (7-5
 
R-16
Taco/Carvalho (VSU) def. Cail/Cavalleri (Barry) 8-2
Wedel/Skierkier (VSU) def. Thiel/Soukal (Saint Leo) 8-6
 
Quarterfinals
Taco/Carvalho (VSU) def. Contreras/Le Maout (Auburn Montgomery) 8-5
Wedel/Skierkier (VSU) def. Costa/Rondon (West Florida) 8-4
 
Semifinals
Bacella/Mensour (Saint Leo) def. Takeshi/Cavalho (VSU) 8-6
Olive-Blanco/Amastiste (Lynn) def. Wedel/Skierkier (VSU) 8-4