Mohanad Alhouni captured national championship by winning the ITA Oracle Cup.
PALM DESERT, Calif. – Gustavus men’s tennis standout Mohanad Alhouni’s (Sr., Tripoli, Libya) trip at the 2017 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships ended Thursday with a loss in the first round of the consolation singles draws.
After falling to Stahinja Rakic of Mississippi State University, who was ranked No. 67 in the ITA Division I preseason singles rankings in the singles round of 64, Alhouni faced another tough Division I opponent in Jimmy Bendeck from Baylor University, losing 6-2, 6-3.
“Mohanad played a good match today,” said Head Coach Tommy Valentini. “He was more comfortable out there on the second day, and competed very well. He executed his game plan well today and had some looks on deuce points in close situations. He did a great job staying positive and present against a top-class opponent. It was another great step for him.”
As the ITA Oracle Cup Division III singles champion, Alhouni qualified for the 2017 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships singles draws. The ITA National Fall Championships, which serves as the concluding event to the fall portion of the college tennis schedule, is the only intercollegiate event to feature competitors from all five divisions competing for a national championship.
“He represented our program, Gustavus, and all of Division III beautifully as the first Division III men’s singles player ever to compete in this elite-level Division I national championship. We’re hopeful that this experience will help him and our team build momentum and trust as we head into our spring season,” Valentini concluded.