ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Jan. 29, 2026)--The Morgan State men's tennis team made history on Thursday afternoon during its visit to the Naval Academy. In its previous 13 meetings against the Midshipmen the Bears had never defeated Navy. That all changed today, as Morgan State handed host Navy a 4-3 loss in a thrilling non-conference match played at Tose Family Tennis Center.
 
The Bears improved to 1-1 on the season, while securing their first-ever win over the Mids in the series' 14 meetings. Navy dropped to 5-3 and suffered its first loss at home this season after beginning 4-0.
 
The Mids claimed all three singles contests to earn the doubles point and took a 2-0 lead after winning at No. 1 singles by way of retirement.
 
Morgan got on the board when Ilya Maltsey defeated George Cutone 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 3 spot. Navy appeared to be in the driver's seat when Ethan Garcia earned a 6-2, 6-2 straight sets victory over Abdulraheem Isa to give the Mids a 3-1 lead.
 
The Bears had other plans though. Morgan State would buckle down and win the remaining three singles matches all in straights sets to give the guests the 4-3 come-from-behind victory. Mohaned Ridha Ghettas picked up a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles and Yessine Kerouat claimed a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 4 spot to even the score at 3-3. Freshman Roman Filma then secured the comeback win for Morgan State with his 6-3, 7-5 No. 2 singles win over Navy's Jake Young.
 
Morgan State will travel to Oakhurst, N.J., on Friday, Feb. 13 to face Monmouth in a non-conference match at 7 p.m. at Park Ave Tennis Center.
 
 
How It Happened
Doubles
No. 1 – Jason Kim/Herrick Legaspi (Navy) d. Rhajzon Rankins/Roman Filima 7-5
No. 2 – Tommy Kim/Jake Young (Navy) d. Abdulraheem Isa/Ilya Maltsev 6-3
No. 3 – George Cutone/J.J. Etterbeek (Navy) d. Jacob Poole/Antonio Santos 6-3
 
Singles
No. 1 – Aniketh Ayinala (Navy) d. Rankins 2-4, won by retirement
No. 2 – Filima (MSU) d. 6-3, 7-5
No. 3 – Maltsev (MSU) d. Cutone 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 – Yessine Kerouat (MSU) d. 6-3, 6-1
No. 5 – Ethan Garcia (Navy) d. Isa 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 – Mohamed Ridha Ghettas (MSU) d. Zach Quattro 6-2, 6-0
 
 
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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.