NORFOLK, Va., March 29, 2023—South Carolina State tennis duo Mikalai Bankou and Soyfa Vitaliyena Chursina earned the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) top rookie weekly honors presented by Coca-Cola, the conference office announced today.
Freshman Bankou was named Men’s Rookie of the Week, while Chursina was named Women’s Rookie of the Week.
Bankou (Fr., Belarus) defeated Campbell’s Lukas Steffen 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 at No. 3 singles, helping the Bulldogs extend their winning streak to five matches. He also won his doubles match at No. 3, 6-2.
Chursina (Fr., Kazakhstan) won at No. 1 singles as the Bulldogs defeated Campbell for their seventh straight win, going 6-3, 6-0 against Tasmin Hart. She also won at No. 1 doubles, pairing with Semlali Hind for a 7-5 victory.
Others earning honors were, Morgan State junior Mikael Carpenter was named (MEAC) Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, while Howard University sophomore Sifa Butcher was named Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Other Top Performers
Daria Jula (Delaware State) picked up two doubles wins this past week, as well as two singles wins (one via retirement).
Noelani Lui (Delaware State) was 1-0 in singles play, going 6-3, 6-0 at no. 2 singles against Coppin State.