Chattanooga Tennis Players Named Tournament Alternates
Jakub Jupa and Jaxon Lamb earn alternate status for the upcoming ITA Conference Masters Championships.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Tennis
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has selected two Chattanooga men's tennis players as alternates for the 2026 Conference Masters Championships. Jakub Jupa will serve as an alternate for the singles draw, while he and partner Jaxon Lamb hold alternate status in doubles.
Why it matters
The ITA Conference Masters Championships acts as a critical qualification pathway for athletes aiming to compete in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships. Earning a spot in the event allows players to compete for automatic bids to the national tournament.
Jupa and Lamb earned their alternate status following their performance at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships, where they reached the Round of 16. Their campaign included victories over duos from Belmont and Dayton before a withdrawal due to injury.
The players
Jakub Jupa
He is a men's tennis player for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who has been named an alternate in both singles and doubles.
Jaxon Lamb
He is a men's tennis player for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who earned an alternate spot in the doubles draw.
Intercollegiate Tennis Association
This is the governing body for college tennis that oversees rankings, tournament structures, and qualifying pathways for NCAA championships.
The details
The pair had to withdraw from their Round of 16 match against Purdue's Nour Fathalla and Lorenzo Balducci in October due to an injury. Despite the setback, their performance throughout the regional tournament was sufficient to secure alternate positions for the upcoming event in Rome, Georgia.
Timeline
October 2026: Jupa and Lamb competed in the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships.
October 29 - November 1, 2026: Chattanooga competes in the UTR Sports/NCAA College TennisFest DI Invite.
November 5-8, 2026: The ITA Conference Masters Championships take place at the Rome Tennis Center.
Season Trajectory
This alternate status keeps Jupa and Lamb in the hunt for the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, maintaining their standing within the highly competitive ITA circuit. Their placement reflects a strong start to the season and keeps them prepared for potential late-entry opportunities.
Jupa and Lamb now require a withdrawal from the primary tournament list to compete for the automatic NCAA qualification bids. The alternate designation requires the duo to remain match-ready through the November tournament window in case a spot opens in the singles or doubles brackets.
The takeaway
The alternate designation highlights the importance of consistency during regional play, as individual tournament performances dictate qualification status for major championships. Athletes must remain prepared for sudden roster changes throughout the duration of the tournament window.
What happens next
The ITA Conference Masters Championships are scheduled to take place at the Rome Tennis Center from November 5 through November 8, 2026.
Further reading
Stay updated on the latest collegiate competition results on the Tennis section page.
