South Carolina State Wins 2014 MEAC Men's Tennis Championship

2014 MEAC MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONS
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS
Photo courtesy of: MEAC Media Relations

CAYCE, South Carolina  -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs defeated the Norfolk State Spartans, 4-1, to win the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Tennis Championship title on Sunday at the Cayce Tennis & Fitness Center. The title is the seventh consecutive and the 12^th overall for the Bulldogs.

“I am really excited for this group of players,” South Carolina State head coach Hardeep Judge said. “We’ve worked hard all season and I am just happy for them to experience this win and the championship.”

South Carolina State took an early 1-0 lead over Norfolk State with wins at the number one and two doubles positions. SCSU’s Martin Kobza and Jiri Stiburek knocked off Dzmitry Zyhmantovich, 8-3, while Daniel Vala and Martin Figura defeated Igor Braga and Robin Riethmueller, 8-3.

In singles play, South Carolina State grabbed the win with victories at the number four, five and six positions. Norfolk State picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win at number two as Pascal Domnik knocked off Jiri Stiburek, 6-2, 6-1.

The Bulldogs’ Soufiane Mouline defeated Igor Braga, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, while Vala topped Peter Pello, 6-1, 6-1. Martin Figura gave SCSU the win at the number six position with a thrilling 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory.

Vala, who tallied a 2-0 singles mark and 3-0 record in doubles, was named Outstanding Performer, while Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the 10^th time in his career.

With the win, South Carolina State (10-7) receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Championship. The Division I Men's Tennis Selection Show will air Tuesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com.

For more information about MEAC Men's Tennis, visit www.MEACsports.com.

2014 Men's All-Tournament Teams:

Doubles:
1. Martin Kobza and Jiri Stiburek, South Carolina State
2. Daniel Vala and Martin Figura, South Carolina State
3. Stanislav Baco and Soufiane Mouline, South Carolina State

Singles:
1. Rodney Carey, Florida A&M

2. Pascal Domnik, Norfolk State

3. Stanislav Baco, South Carolina State
4. Soufiane Mouline, South Carolina State
5. Daniel Vala, South Carolina State

6. Martin Figura, South Carolina State

Outstanding Performers: Daniel Vala
Outstanding Coach: Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State

Runner-Up Team: Norfolk State University
2014 MEAC Men's Tennis Champion: South Carolina State University

COURTESY MEAC SPORTS RELEASE