RALEIGH, NC — The South Carolina State tennis teams captured the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's & Women's Tennis Championship title Sunday at Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh N.C.The Lady Bulldogs defeated Morgan State, 4-3, for their ninth consecutive and the 10th overall, while the men captured their sixth consecutive and 11th overall for the Bulldogs with a, 4-1, victory over Florida A&M.
“To win nine straight MEAC Championships, while not losing a conference match in nine years is quite an accomplishment,” said Judge. “We fought so hard all year through injuries and adversity, but I am so proud of the way our kids responded by playing like champions.”
The Lady Bulldogs jumped out early on to claim the doubles point at the number one and three positions. SC States' Laura Bosneag and Victoriia Khatcei topped Morgan State's Arina Alilueva and Jasmine Edwards, 8-3, to earn the first point of the day.
South Carolina State went up 3-0 with two quick wins at the number three and five positions in singles play. Morgan State battled back earning victories at the two and four spots. Morgan State's number one, Ekaterina Iakovleva, tied the match (3-3) with a 6-4, 6-4 win over MEAC Player of the Year senior Maria Craciun.
Senior Laura Bosneag would not be denied as she closed out the match with the winning point of a thrilling three-set win over MSU's Jasmine Edwards. Bosneag capturing her fourth straight league crown lost the first set, 7-6, but took the next two sets 6-0, 6-0 to help the Lady Bulldogs secure the title.
Sophomore Victoriia Khatcei was named Outstanding Performer while head coach Hardeep Judge was named Outstanding Coach. Khatcei recorded a 3-0 record in singles play and a 3-0 mark in doubles action to win the honor. Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the ninth time in his career on the women's side.
Meanwhile on the men's side, the Rattlers of FAMU took an early 1-0 lead over South Carolina State with wins at the number one and three doubles positions.
Judge stated, “We came out very flat and lost the doubles point in 30 minutes, but really fought back today and used our past experience to weather the storm.”
SC State remain calmed despite being down to regain control of the match as, senior Anton Protsenko defeated FAMU's Chidi Gabril to earn their first point of the day. Senior Peteris Vinogradovs and junior Artemiy Nikitin followed with wins at the third and fourth spots to put South Carolina State up 3-2.
Freshman Marius Dragoi was the deciding factor down the stretch battling back to defeat Temuera Asafu-Adjaye to win the team's fourth point and secure the title. Dragoi fought back from being down a set, and one game from losing the match, to win 4-6, 7-5, and 6-0.
Nikitin, who tallied a 3-0 mark in singles play, was named Outstanding Performer while head coach Hardeep Judge was named Men's Outstanding Coach for the ninth time in his career.
“Our strength and conditioning program really has played off for us and thank the entire staff especially Coach Erby for giving the guys support today on the court,” said the Bulldog coach. “Suzanna and I really worked hard with the women's team this year and to see that it paid off is very satisfying.”
Judge with nearly 400 career wins has captured his 18th MEAC Championship overall for both teams during his 12-year tenure as coach.
With the wins, South Carolina State men and women receive the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Tennis Championship. The Division I Tennis Selection Show will air Tuesday, April 30 at 5:00 p.m. for the men and 5:30 for the women on NCAA.com.
FAMU vs SCSU Championship Match StatsSOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATION
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