CAYCE, S.C. - 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 12th 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 10th 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.
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
