ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Norfolk State men's tennis team continues to gain momentum ahead of the 2025 spring season, completing another successful showing at Navy's Joe Hunt Invitational.
 
Norfolk State sophomore and 2024 MEAC Rookie of the Year Jakub Solarski dominated the "Green" draw, winning all three of his singles matches. He began the event with a 7-6 (5), 4-6 10-2 victory over Navy freshman George Cutone – the 2024 Maine Tennis Player of the Year.
 
Solarski followed that performance with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Morgan State's Makkijha Brown, before besting John Hopkins freshman Jason Li 6-0, 6-3.
 
All-MEAC selection Frederick McRae also enjoyed a spectacular tournament, going 3-0 in the "Yellow" singles draw. McRae's week began with a come-from behind 3-6 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory over Johns Hopkins junior Pranav Gadiraju, who went 6-1 in conference play last year for the Blue Jays.
 
McRae continued to battle, taking down Navy's Charlie Spencer 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, before cruising past Morgan State's Anthony Parris 6-1, 6-1.
 
Deniz Okyay went 2-1 in the "Pink" draw, with a pair of impressive wins. Okyay defeated Morgan State's Jacob Poole 6-2, 6-1 and blanked Navy's Zack Giertz 6-0, 6-0.
 
Playing in the "White" draw, Vladisav Gorbatenko won one of his three matches, defeating Navy sophomore Steve Nguyen 4-6, 7-5, 11-9.
 
The Spartans fared well in doubles as well. Solarski and Okyay paired up to go 2-1 in the "Red" draw, with victories against Johns Hopkins and Morgan State. Gorbatenko and McRae also went 2-1 in the "Orange" draw, before taking down Navy's Jonathan Lee and Presbyterian's Marco Foglieni 6-3 in an extra match.
 
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