CLAREMONT, Calif. – The collegiate career of Gustavus men’s tennis ace Mohanad Alhouni (Sr., Tripoli, Libya) came to a close Friday at the NCAA Singles Championships. In the quarterfinal round, Alhouni lost 6-3, 6-2 to Bowdoin’s Grant Urken, finishing his senior season with a 29-9 singles record.
The Tripoli native started the tournament Thursday with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Harry Shephard of Washington & Lee and then topped Alexis Dimanche of Southwestern 7-6 (6), 6-1 in the second round. The quarterfinal round is the furthest Alhouni has advanced in three NCAA singles tournament appearances.
Alhouni caps his impressive career 109-31 in singles and 97-34 in doubles, while earning three All-America awards singles and two All-America honors in doubles. Alhouni is the first Gustavus men’s tennis player to receive All-America status in three consecutive years since Brett Morse-Karzen (2004, 05, 06).
“It was a tough loss for Mohanad today, but I couldn’t be more proud of how he competed,” Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “He finishes his career as one of the all-time great Gusties. He has a long-list of accomplishments that includes All-American and National Champion. But far more importantly, he has matured and made tremendous progress and as a player, competitor, teammate, student, and person over the last four years. He has had a tremendous impact on our program and it has been special to be a part of his journey. We are grateful to have him in our Gustavus Tennis family, and I’m excited to see him take the values of our program into the world in the next stages of his life.”
So unbelievably proud of you Mo. You are such a great young man. One of my all time favorites in my 14 years working at Gustavus. I have no doubt the great things that you are going to accomplish in your life. Proud to call you my friend. Oh and one heck of a tennis career too.
Friends always.
Kyhl