HAMPTON, Va. (April 13, 2025) — The Morgan State men's tennis team concluded their trip to the Tidewater region on a high note, securing a 5-2 victory against Hampton University in a non-conference showdown. The Bears' performance not only showcased their competitive spirit but also dampened the celebratory atmosphere of Hampton's Senior Day.
Morgan wasted little time in sweeping through the doubles portion of the match to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Mikeal Carpenter and Bertin Karenzi, the Bears' top doubles team, showcased their prowess with a decisive 6-1 victory over Yanazie Amadike and Donte Armbrister on court No. 1. The Bears' success continued on court No. 2, where Yessine Kerouat and Majdi Ben Abdel Wahed engaged in a fierce battle, ultimately clinching a hard-fought 6-3 win against Aryan Arora and Kevin Jorquera. This crucial victory secured the coveted doubles point for the Bears, setting the stage for a promising singles performance.
The Bears and Pirates clashed in a tightly contested singles competition, with early momentum shifting between the two sides. Abdelwahed kicked things off strong for the Bears, dominating his match on court No. 3 and securing a decisive 6-1, 6-4 victory over Kevin Jorquera. However, the Pirates quickly responded, leveling the score as Yanozie Amadike triumphed over Makkijha Brown on court No. 2. Amadike's win, with a score of 6-1, 7-5, marked the Pirates' first point of the match.
Morgan standout Mikeal Carpenter proved to be a key catalyst in his team's victory, battling through a challenging first set to secure a crucial point. After dropping the first set 1-6 to Donte Armbrister, Carpenter rebounded with commanding 6-1 and 6-2 wins in the following sets. This hard-fought victory put the Bears ahead 3-1, shifting the momentum firmly in their favor. Shortly after, Yessine Kerouat cemented the win for Morgan State, delivering a decisive 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Benedict Badza on court No. 4. Kerouat's swift and dominant performance ensured the Bears clinched the match.
How It Happened
Singles
No. 1 – Mikeal Carpenter (MSU) d. Donte Armbrister (HU), 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 - Yanozie Amadike (HU) d. Makkijha Brown (MSU), 6-1, 7-5
No. 3 - Majdi Ben Abdelwahed (MSU) d. Kevin Jorquera (HU), 6-1, 6-4
No. 4 - Yessine Kerouat (MSU) d. Benedict Badza (HU), 6-2, 6-1
No. 5 - Aryan Arora (HU) d. Mohamed Ridh Ghettas (MSU), 6-3, 6-0
No. 6 - Anthony Parris (MSU) d. Jude Killkelly (HU), 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 3,2,1,4,5,6
Doubles
No. 1 – M. Carpenter/B. Karenzi (MSU) d. Y. Amadike/D. Armbrister (HU), 6-1
No. 2 – Y. Kerouat/M. Ben Abdel Wahed (MSU) d. A. Arora/K. Jorquera (HU) d. 6-3
No. 3 – A. Parris/N. Santos (MSU) d. B. Badza/B. Mwanza (HU), 6-2
Order of Finish: 2,1,3
NEXT UP: The Bears continue non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon when they play the Loyola Greyhounds at McClure Tennis Center at Ridley Athletic Complex. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
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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.
