NEW ORLEANS – In a match that didn't end until after midnight, the Alcorn State University men's tennis program fell to Alabama State 4-2 indoors at the Hilton Riverside in the semifinals of the SWAC Championships.
The fourth-seeded Braves were led at the top by senior
Kert Kilumets. The 2018 SWAC Player of the Year winner defeated Ion Efrim from No. 1 Alabama State in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
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Kilumets completed his two-year career having never lost a singles match to a SWAC opponent. He became the first back-to-back SWAC Player of the Year from Alcorn for any sport since Steve McNair in football.
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Another win came at No. 2 singles where freshman
Stojan Stojanovski, an All-Conference selection, ousted Carl-Louis Luckmann 6-4, 6-3.
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However, the Hornets were able to grab results at No. 3, 4 and 5 singles to clinch after winning the doubles point.
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Doubles was competitive as both the No. 1 and 2 spots went to a tiebreaker at 6-6. Alcorn needed to win both of them, but Alabama State came out on top 7-6 at No. 1 after winning No. 3 by the score of 6-2.
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It wrapped up the 21st season for head coach
Anthony Dodgen who has won the men's title eight times.
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Men's Tennis
Alabama State 4, Alcorn 2
Singles Competition
1.
Kert Kilumets (ALCN) def. Ion Efrim (ALST) 6-3, 6-1
2.
Stojan Stojanovski (ALCN) def. Carl-Louis Luckmann (ALST) 6-4, 6-3
3. Tomas Fernandez (ALST) def.
Johnatan Parat (ALCN) 6-1, 7-6
4. Alexis Collard (ALST) def.
Ivan Matas (ALCN) 6-1, 7-5
5. Chris Andre (ALST) def.
Suyash Gupta (ALCN) 6-2, 6-1
6. Alejo Calvis (ALST) vs.
Nuno Rocha (ALCN) unfinished
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Doubles Competition
1. Alexis Collard/Ion Efrim (ALST) def.
Kert Kilumets/
Stojan Stojanovski (ALCN) 7-6
2. Tomas Fernandez/Carl-Louis Luckmann (ALST) vs.
Johnatan Parat/
Suyash Gupta (ALCN) 6-6, unfinished
3. Chris Andre/Alejo Calvis (ALST) def.
Ivan Matas/
Nuno Rocha (ALCN) 6-2
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#FearTheBrave
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