MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Tennis team's upset bid in the semifinals of the SSAC Men's Tennis Championship Tournament fell short on Friday evening, Apr. 28 as the William Carey Crusaders survived with a 4-3 victory over Mobile, eliminating the Rams from the tourney. Mobile entered the tournament as the lowest seed, but managed an upset victory over Loyola University (La.) in the opening round early on Friday morning to advance to the semifinals. The Rams fell just one match short from knocking off the second-seeded Crusaders and advancing to the championship match.
Full Results
Doubles
1. Okano/Verdu (MOB) def. Shearer/Urinov (WCU) 7-5
2. Magnusson/Rockstroh (WCU) def. Kambara/Diloreto (MOB) 6-1
3. Reina/Ruiz (MOB) def. Tillger/ Bagrinovski (WCU) 7-6 (3)
Singles
1. Okano (MOB) def. Urinov (WCU) 7-5, 4-6, 7-5
2. Drapeau (WCU) def. Perez (MOB) 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
3. Rockstroh (WCU) def. Kambara (MOB) 6-1, 6-1
4. Magnusson (WCU) def. Diloreto (MOB) 6-7, 6-3, 7-5
5. Shearer (WCU) def. Ruiz (MOB) 6-2, 6-0
6. Verdu (MOB) def. Bagrinovski (WCU) 6-0, 6-3
SSAC Announces Postseason Awards; Pedro Okano Named Player of the Year
Additionally, the SSAC announced the year-end awards for men's tennis during the conference tournament, highlighted by Joao Pedro Okano who was named 2023 SSAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year. Throughout the 2023 season, Pedro Okano is the only player in SSAC Men's Tennis to stay undefeated in 11 matches played, sporting a perfect 11-0 overall record and 6-0 conference record. He has consistently played at the top of Mobile's lineups across singles and doubles action, adding a 6-0 doubles record with partner Alex Verdu. In addition, the second-year Ram was named to the SSAC Men's Tennis All-Conference Team for the second season in a row, being the only member of UM Men's Tennis to earn that honor this year.
Finally, seven members were named to the SSAC's Barnes & Noble College All-Academic Team for excelling in the classroom throughout the 2022-23 academic year. Those who were honored as all-academic players are listed below.
*named as Mobile's representative on the SSAC Men's Tennis Champions of Character Team
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About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
