SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Feb. 9, 2025) – On Sunday, the Morgan State men's tennis team encountered a formidable opponent in Bucknell, ultimately succumbing to a decisive 4-0 defeat that highlighted the challenges they faced on the court. The match began with doubles play, where Bucknell's Bison quickly secured the doubles point and thrusting themselves into an early 1-0 lead.
This initial success provided the Bison with a surge of confidence that carried through the subsequent singles matches, sweeping through three individual matchups with strong court presence and consistent play.
Adam Stavrakas (No. 2), Brendan McDonald (No. 4), Shiv Singh (No. 5), and Felix Steindl (No. 6) dropped only nine combined games on their way to singles wins. Stavrakas, the reigning Patriot League Player of the Week, was a 6-1, 6-1 winner over Makkijha Brown on Court 2.
McDonald bested Majdi Ben Abdelwehid 6-1, 6-0; Singh downed Mohamed Ridha Ghettas 6-1, 6-1; and Steindl topped Anthony Parris 6-0, 6-4.
When the match was halted, Liam Kilmer was up a set and 1-1 in the second at No. 3 singles, and Amar Tahirovic was looking to bounce back after dropping the first set to former MEAC Player of the Year Mikeal Carpenter at No. 1.
Morgan head coach Matthew Townes reflected on his team's efforts with a balanced perspective, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and growth.
"We are battling hard each match, and hopefully learning along the way," said Townes. "If we continue to work hard, the wins will come."
Next Up: The Bears will face Temple on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Twin Lakes Tennis Club in Milford Mill, Maryland.
How It Happened
Singles
No. 1 – Amar Tahirovic (BU) d. Mikeal Carpenter 6-2, 4-3, uf
No. 2 – Adam Stavrakas (BU) d. Makkijha Brown (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 3 – Liam Kilmer ( BU) d. Yessine Kerouat (MSU) 6-4, 1-1, uf
No. 4 – Brendon McDonald (BU) d. Majdi Ben Abdelwahed (MSU) 6-1,1-0
No. 5 –Shiv Singh (BU) d. Mohamed Ridha Ghettas (MSU) 6-1, 5-1, uf
No. 6 –Felix Steindl (BU) d. Anthony Parris (MSU) 6-0, 6-4
Order of finish: 2,4,6
Doubles
No. 1 –Amar Tahirovic/Brnedon McDonald (BU) d. Makkijha Brown/Mikeal Carpenter (MSU) 6-3
No. 2 – Adam Stavrakas/Shiv Singh (BU d. Mohamed Ridha Ghettas/ Jacob Poole (MSU) 6-4
No. 3 – Liam Kilmer/Felix Steindl (BU) d. Yessine Kerouat/M. Ben Abdelwahed (MSU) 6-4
Order of finish: 1,2,3
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
