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Men's Tennis MEACsports.com

Bears' Upset Bid Ends, Bulldogs Sets Sights on another MEAC Crown

Box Score Results

CARY, N.C. (April 25, 2025) -- In a riveting semifinal clash, top-seeded South Carolina State narrowly defeated fourth-seeded Morgan State 4–3 on Friday afternoon at Cary Tennis Park in Cary, N.C. The victory propels the Bulldogs into their 16th consecutive championship match appearance, where they will vie for their fifth consecutive conference title.  
 
The match commenced with doubles play, where South Carolina State clinched the crucial point by winning two of the three matches.  
 
At No. 1 doubles, Morgan State's duo of Makkijha Brown and Mikeal Carpenter overcame Mikalai Bankou and Novak Novakovic 6–3.  
 
The Bulldogs responded at No. 3, with Iliyas Maratuly and Ivan Pauliuchenka defeating Niles Rachal and Mohamed Ridh Ghettas 6–4.  
 
The decisive match at No. 2 saw Julius Augunas and Aissa Benchakroun edge Yessine Kerouat and Majdi Ben Abdelwahed 7–5, securing the doubles point for South Carolina State. 
 
Morgan State quickly turned the tide in singles play, capturing the first two matches. At No. 1, Mikeal Carpenter defeated Mikalai Bankou 6–4, 6–1, while Makkijha Brown bested Novak Novakovic 6–3, 7–5 at No. 2. 
 
South Carolina State leveled the match with a win at No. 3 as Aissa Benchakroun overcame Majdi Ben Abdelwahed 6–2, 6–3. S.C. State reclaimed the lead with a win at No. 5 as Gabriel Johnson uprooted Yessine Kerouat 6–0, 6–2.  
 
Morgan State knotted the match with Niles Rachal's 6–4, 6–4 win over Julius Augunas at No. 4.  
 
With the match tied 3–3, the outcome hinged on the No. 6 singles match. South Carolina State's Iliyas Maratuly delivered under pressure, defeating Mohamed Ridh Ghettas 6–3, 6–3 to clinch the overall victory for the Bulldogs.  
 
South Carolina State advances to its 16th consecutive championship match on Saturday, April 26.  





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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.


 
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Players Mentioned

Makkijha Brown

Makkijha Brown

6' 1"
Senior
Mikeal Carpenter

Mikeal Carpenter

6' 1"
Senior
Niles Rachal

Niles Rachal

5' 10"
Senior
Majdi Ben Abdelwahed

Majdi Ben Abdelwahed

5' 11"
Freshman
Yessine Kerouat

Yessine Kerouat

5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Makkijha Brown

Makkijha Brown

6' 1"
Senior
Mikeal Carpenter

Mikeal Carpenter

6' 1"
Senior
Niles Rachal

Niles Rachal

5' 10"
Senior
Majdi Ben Abdelwahed

Majdi Ben Abdelwahed

5' 11"
Freshman
Yessine Kerouat

Yessine Kerouat

5' 11"
Freshman