Old Dominion University Men’s Tennis Welcomes New Recruits

Old Dominion University Men’s Tennis Welcomes New Recruits and Prepares for NCAA Tournament

Norfolk, VA – The Old Dominion University (ODU) men’s tennis team is set to enhance its roster with the addition of two new recruits, Piet Steveker and Zech Hamrouni, for the 2025-26 season. This announcement was made by head coach Dominik Mueller as the team gears up for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which will see them face Kentucky in the first round on May 2 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Zech Hamrouni, a freshman hailing from Bristol, England, brings impressive credentials to the Monarchs. With a top International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Junior ranking of No. 178, Hamrouni comes with a strong track record, having won two singles titles and three doubles championships on the ITF circuit. Additionally, he is a member of the Great Britain Junior Davis Cup team. Hamrouni is excited about joining ODU, where he aims to advance both his academic pursuits and his tennis skills.

Coach Mueller has expressed confidence in Hamrouni’s ability and passion for the sport, highlighting the recruit’s potential for growth and success both on and off the court.

Piet Steveker, transferring from Louisville, also adds a strong background to the lineup. Steveker has two years of eligibility remaining and finished his last season with a 9-9 record while competing primarily at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots. Holding a high ITF World Junior ranking of No. 317, he is a former German Junior Doubles Champion in the U18 category. Steveker has articulated his eagerness to continue his competitive journey at ODU, aiming to contribute to the team’s success.

Mueller had previously expressed interest in bringing Steveker to ODU two years ago before he opted for Louisville, a team that was then ranked No. 19 nationally.

NCAA Tournament Inbound

As for the immediate future, the ODU men’s tennis team is preparing for a crucial encounter against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. The match is scheduled for May 2 at 2 p.m. ODU enters the tournament boasting a notable achievement of winning their third consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championship with a 4-2 victory over Georgia Southern. The Monarchs are currently on a four-game winning streak, holding a record of 17-8, and they have completed the conference season undefeated.

Kentucky, with a record of 16-11, recently experienced a setback, losing 4-3 in the first round of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament to Auburn. They are currently ranked No. 32 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) standings, setting the stage for the first-ever meeting between ODU and Kentucky in men’s tennis.

Ranking and Recognition

Currently, ODU men’s tennis is ranked No. 55 in the ITA standings. Additionally, the Van Schalkwyk brothers are recognized at No. 86 in doubles rankings. Alongside the men’s team, ODU women’s tennis is also entering the NCAA Tournament with a scheduled match against Florida Atlantic on the same day, May 2, at 1 p.m., following a seven-match win streak that has led them to a successful overall record of 19-4. The women’s team recently won their fifth consecutive conference title against Marshall with a decisive 4-1 victory.

Florida Atlantic is entering the contest with an impressive undefeated regular season record of 16-0, holding a ranking of 28th in the ITA. ODU’s women’s tennis leads the all-time series against FAU, with a record of 3-0 in previous encounters during Conference USA tournaments. The team is currently ranked No. 46 in the ITA, with Sofia Johnson and Lidiia Rasskouskaia achieving individual rankings of 24th and 117th in singles, respectively.

Community Engagement

In addition to their tournament preparations, Old Dominion will host a Watch Party for the NCAA Selection Show on April 28. The event is open to fans, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and festivities commencing at 5 p.m., fostering community support for both the men’s and women’s tennis programs.