South Carolina State’s Peteris Vinogradous and Daria Sekerina were chosen as the MEAC Tennis Athletes of the Week, the conference announced on Friday. The Bulldogs Artemiy Nikitin and Akilah James received Rookie of the Week accolades, respectively.

Vinogradous (So., Republic of Latvia) aided the Bulldogs to a 2-0 week against Hampton and Tennessee State. Vinogradous won two matches for the Bulldogs defeating Alvin Fludd of Hampton (6-2, 6-3) and Skylar Dardy of Tennessee State (6-1,6-0).

Sekerina (So., Russia) was 3-0 in singles action last week with victories over North Carolina Central (NCCU), Hampton and Tennessee State. In a win over NCCU, Sekerina topped Oleysa Palko in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 at the number one singles spot.

Nikitin (Fr., Russia) improved to 7-1 in singles this season with wins against NCCU, Hampton and Tennessee State. Nikitin defeated Hampton’s Edson Alives 6-1, 6-0 and Tennessee State’s Greg Ruffin 6-0, 6-0 in singles.

James (Fr., New York, New York) swept six straight sets to aid the Lady Bulldogs to a 3-0 week against NCCU, Hampton and Tennessee State. James topped NCCU’s Fedrica Lombard 6-0, 6-0 and teamed with Laura Bosneag, to win 8-2 at the number three doubles position.  

Other Top Performances:

Arshell Jackson (UMES) defeated Morgan State’s Tirekan Turner (6-0, 6-1) at the number four singles spot.

Malcom Johnson (UMES) topped Chris Jeter of Winston-Salem State 6-2, 6-2 in singles action.