ATLANTA, Ga. – Alcorn State University men's and women's tennis competed at the 25th annual HBCU National Championship this past weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, with the Braves men's team capturing the HBCU National Championship and both squads recording multiple victories in singles and doubles competition.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our men and women competed at the HBCU National Championship. Our men's team put together a tremendous performance to bring the national championship back to Alcorn, while our women's team showed great competitiveness throughout the tournament. This weekend was a great reflection of the hard work and dedication our student-athletes have put in.Noted Head Coach Kersten Vanem-Walker
The Alcorn State men's team highlighted the weekend by being crowned national champions after a strong showing against several HBCU programs.
Vicent Llobell led the Braves with multiple singles victories, defeating NC Central's Lucas Hartley, 6-0, 1-6, 10-5, and Alabama State's Luka Videnovic, 6-4, 7-5. Llobell also defeated teammate Jose Luis Zenteno, 6-1, 6-0.
Ronaldo Vera added two singles victories, defeating Tuskegee's Gabriel Guillot, 6-3, 6-2, and NC Central's Angel Maffezzoli, 6-3, 6-2. Kahari McNeal earned a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Hampton's Jude Killkely, while Joseph Puig defeated Norfolk State's Luka Cvjetkovic, 8-1.
The Braves also found success in doubles competition. Hilb Kovalenko and Emre Atlamis defeated Norfolk State's Patryk Kowal and Szymon Janzen, 6-1. Llobell and Puig picked up two doubles victories, defeating Norfolk State's Marcin Andrzejczak and Szymon Malecki, 6-1, before earning a 6-3 victory over Xavier's Edilson Rosa and Fatih Sisic.
On the women's side, the Lady Braves produced several strong individual performances throughout the championship.
Ivanna De Gregorio recorded two singles victories, defeating Norfolk State's Yuliya Yurkova, 6-3, 6-4, and Florida A&M's Sydney Brantley, 6-3, 6-1.
Oilhane Villanueva also earned two singles victories, defeating Bethune-Cookman's Marissa Alexander, 6-4, 6-3, while Hana Bajramovic defeated Hampton's Samira Khazieva, 6-4, 6-2.
Additional singles victories came from Jennyar Hussein Elba, who defeated Xavier's Laura Lopez, 8-4; Gloria Jovic, who defeated Florida A&M's Gabrielle Pierce, 8-1; and Natalija Nikolic, who defeated Grambling State's Trinity Hope, 8-0.
"Congratulations to our men's tennis team on being crowned HBCU National Champions. This championship is a tremendous accomplishment for our student-athletes, coaches and the entire Alcorn State community. We are also proud of the women's team for representing Alcorn with determination and competing at a high level throughout the championship stated Athletic Director E. D'Wayne Robinson
Results
Men B flight singles - Ronaldo Vera (finalist- 2nd place)
Men C flight singles - Vicent Buigues (national champion - 1st place)
Men A flight doubles - Vicent Buigues/Joseph Puig (finalist - 2nd place)
Women A flight singles - Ivanna De Gregorio (semi-finalist - 4th place)
Women B flight doubles - Zoe Crimmel/Amelia Tatafu (semi-finalists)
Men's Standings
Alcorn State University - 63
Xavier University of Louisiana - 58
North Carolina Central University - 54
Alabama State University - 49
Jackson State University - 42
Alabama A&M University - 32
Hampton University - 26
Howard University - 24
Tuskegee University - 15
Norfolk State University - 13
Women's Standings
Norfolk State University - 82
Howard University - 64
Alabama State University - 59
Jackson State University - 43
Xavier University of Louisiana - 41
Alcorn State University - 27
Alabama A&M University - 21
Hampton University - 18
Florida A&M University - 18
Bethune-Cookman University - 16
Grambling State University - 0
