Box Score CARY, N.C. – The No. 3 seed Norfolk State men's tennis team cruised past No. 6 seed Coppin State on Thursday afternoon, earning a 4-0 victory in just over 90 minutes at Cary Tennis Park.
 
The Spartans (13-11, 3-2 MEAC) secured the men's program's second MEAC Tournament victory of head coach Peter Banas' tenure, setting up a semifinal matchup with No. 2 seed North Carolina Central on Friday.
 
Norfolk State clinched the opening doubles point fast with strong performances at all three positions. Jakub Solarski and Deniz Okyay earned a 6-0 victory on Court 2 in the blink of an eye, before Igor Kubalka and Frederick McRae clinched the point with a 6-2 win on Court 3.
 
Vladisav Gorbatenko wasted no time giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead, taking down Harsh Kheterpal 6-1, 6-3 at the top position. Just a few seconds later, Okyay defeated Liam Murtaugh 6-0, 6-3 on Court 3.
 
The stampede continued, as Michel Elia closed out a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Aidan Thomas-Cogar at the No. 6 position to clinch the match for the Spartans.
 
Norfolk State will face No. 2 seed North Carolina Central on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. with a spot in the championship bout on the line. A rematch of the 2024 MEAC Semifinal showdown which North Carolina Central won 4-2, the must-see battle will air live on ESPN+.
 
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