<strong>NORFOLK, Va.</strong> – The Norfolk State men's tennis team competed close to home over the weekend, putting together another solid showing at the 2024 ITA DI Men's Atlantic Regional Championships hosted by Old Dominion.<br />  <br /> Frederick McRae defeated Longwood's Marko Mrdak 6-3, 6-4 to open the tournament on Thursday morning. Jakub Solarski made his weekend debut in dominant form, crushing George Mason's Dustin Ha 6-1, 6-0.<br />  <br /> Solarski kept the run going, taking down Hampton's Donte Armbrister 6-4, 6-3 to move into the main draw. The sophomore nearly pulled off another triumph, falling 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to Navy's Jake Young.<br />  <br /> Vladisav Gorbatenko, who received an automatic bid into the main draw, dropped a hard-fought match against Georgetown's Akira Morgenstern 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. He bounced back in the consolation pool, pulling out a 7-6 (2), 3-6, 10-3 victory over Wiliam & Mary's Raz Katz.<br />  <br /> The Spartans put up a strong effort in doubles as well. Solarski and Deniz Okyay nearly knocked off Richmond's Davis Wiley and Cole Brashear in a tiebreak, falling 8-7.<br />  <br /> For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.<br />