Amrik Donkena (Rochester, Minn.) and Mya Smith-Dennis (Savage, Minn.) fell in the first round of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships being held Oct. 13-16 at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center in Mobile, Alabama. Donkena, singles champion of the Midwest Regional, competed in singles draw, while also teaming up with doubles partner Smith-Dennis in the doubles competition.
Donkena fell to Andy Hersh of Johns Hopkins University in the first round in straight sets 6-4, 6-1. Amrik will battle Andrew La Cava of Whitman College at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
In doubles, Donkena and Smith-Dennis fell to Bryan Chow and Trey Meyer of Williams College 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the opening round. The Gustie pair will take on the Guzick brothers, Ben and Andrew, of Vassar College tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
The USTA/ITA National Small College Championship is the only national championship event for singles and doubles at the NCAA Division II and NAIA levels. It is also the only tournament that combines all levels of Junior/Community College (NJCAA Divisions I and III and the California division). The singles and doubles champions at each divisional level will then compete to become the overall “Super Bowl” champions. The “Super Bowl” champions earn wild cards into the USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships with the opportunity to win the culminating event held at the USTA-Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.