NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 26, 2020—North Carolina A&T State’s Vasil Ivanov was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, the conference office announced today. Bethune-Cookman’s Joaquin Bianchi was named Men’s Rookie of the Week. On the women’s side. South Carolina State junior Zainab Bendahhou was named Player of the Week, while teammate Lajia Cemalovic earned Rookie of the Week honors.
 
Ivanov (So., Kardzhali, Bulgaria) went 2-0 at No. 2 singles last week, earning victories over Radford's Yevhen Sirous and King University's Sebastian Lieflander. He also paired with senior Nicholas Arduh at No. 1 doubles and earned a victory against King University.
 
Bianchi (Fr., Argentina) earned his first collegiate victory this past weekend against North Florida, defeating Patrick Kotan at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-2.
 
Bendahhou (Jr., Morocco) defeated Julia Pezzuco at the No. 6 spot, 6-2, 6-2, to lead South Carolina State to its first victory of the season over Western Carolina. She also paired with Cemalovic for a 6-3 doubles win over Carli Deehr and Emily Elliott.
 
Cemalovic (Fr., Bosnia/Herzegovina) defeated Emily Elliott at the No. 5 spot 6-2, 6-1 to lead South Carolina State to its first win of the season over Western Carolina. She also paired with Bendahhou for a 6-3 doubles win over Deehr and Elliott.
 
Other Top Performers
Eliott Ekindi (FAMU) defeated North Florida’s Charley Castaing 6-3, 6-4.
 
Nihit Rawal (MSU) defeated Villanova’s Dylan Flanagan 6-3, 6-3.
 
Mikaya Hamilton (NCAT) defeated Radford’s Tyler Blalock 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
 
Lauren Williamson (UMES) defeated Dea Lako of St. Francis Brooklyn 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.