NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's tennis team will celebrate its 2012 seniors on Tuesday out at the NSU Tennis Courts prior to the team's last home match of the year against Delaware. The Senior Day celebration, honoring five players, is set to get going at 2 p.m., with the match to follow immediately afterward.
Seniors Arsenio Culver, Ben Marks, Christian Romanzini and Roosevelt Cooper and junior Dexter McDowell will each be honored prior to the match for their contributions to the Spartan tennis program. Both the men and women will face Delaware on Tuesday, with the women's Senior Day occurring next week.
At 10-9 overall, the men own the program's best record since a 14-6 slate in 2007. The Spartans have almost all but locked up their spot in the MEAC tournament in mid-April, where NSU will attempt to advance beyond the quarterfinal round for the second straight year. NSU loses five of its nine-player roster after this season.
Two of NSU's best players over the last five years will say goodbye in their final home match of their careers, as the Spartans will lose two All-MEAC players after this season in Culver and Marks. Culver has been a two-time All-MEAC first team member and also finished his sophomore year ranked No. 20 in the Atlantic Region in the Campbell/ITA Regional rankings. His overall singles record now stands at 39-20.
After transferring from ODU following his freshman year, Marks earned a spot on the all-conference second team last year during his junior season. He and Culver have been a formidable duo in doubles play throughout their careers, going 25-10 during their time at NSU, including numerous wins over the top tandems from higher-level schools. He owns a career 26-30 record in singles play.
Romanzini arrived at NSU prior to his junior year as a small college transfer and has been the Spartans' primary No. 4 player in the lineup this season after having been at the No. 3 spot last year. He owns a 5-9 record on the season this year as well as a 6-7 doubles mark.
Cooper, NSU's fourth senior, competed for the Spartans in 2009 but did not compete in either 2010 or '11. He returned to the lineup this year for his last campaign and has tallied a 5-5 overall singles record as well as a perfect 6-0 record in doubles play.
McDowell, a junior, will also celebrate his Senior Day on Tuesday. After playing significantly as a freshman in 2010, including twice being named MEAC Rookie of the Week, McDowell did not see much time in the lineup the last two seasons. This year, he has tallied a 3-1 singles record.
The women's team will honor its lone senior, Naeemah Brooks, next Monday before the start of the match against Savannah State at 3 p.m.
After taking on the Blue Hens Tuesday, both teams will face Liberty Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. on the road.
