Grambling, LA --- The Grambling State University Tigers and Lady Tigers tennis programs have come a long way in a short time under Head Coach Kenneth Meyers. Qualifying for their third consecutive championship in three years under Meyers his year the men's team finished with a 7-1 record in the conference, while the women's team finished 5-3 in SWAC play. Both teams have qualified for the SWAC championship in Alexandria later this month.
The men feature the number one player in the SWAC in Nicolas Rufyikiri, who finished undefeated in singles play in the SWAC at 8-0 and is a leading candidate for player of the year in the conference. "He is a great player", said Myers. "The great thing is that he is just a junior and we get him for one more year."
The men finished second in the west to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who finished the year undefeated in team play in the conference. The men will face the #3 seed out of the east in Mississippi Valley in the first round of the tournament.
On the women's side the "Lady Tigers" finished with a 5-3 record in the SWAC. That was good enough for second place in the western Division. The "Lady Tigers" are led in doubles play by the sister tandem of Sino and Nolu Ndlabhu. They finished undefeated in conference play at 8-0 and will be the favorites in the upcoming tournament. "We've had a fantastic season by beating Southern and Prairie View" said Coach Meyers. "This is the first time that the women have defeated Prairie View in four years and the first time that the ladies have been above 500 since the early 2000s. We have come a long way and have improved tremendously". The women will face Alabama A&M in the first round of the tournament.
Not only have both tennis programs improved on the court, but they have five Academic All-Americans. The SWAC Championship will take place April 17th-20th in Alexandria, Louisiana at City Park Complex
-GSU-