News Summary
Old Dominion University’s men’s tennis team triumphed over Georgia Southern University, securing their second consecutive championship in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The match, held at the Rome Tennis Center, showcased Old Dominion’s dominance with a final score of 4-2. Despite a strong effort from Georgia Southern, Old Dominion showcased strategic plays and secured key victories in both doubles and singles matches. With this victory, Old Dominion improves their season record to 17-8, affirming their status as a powerhouse in collegiate tennis.
Rome, Georgia – Old Dominion University’s men’s tennis team has defended its title, emerging victorious against Georgia Southern University 4-2 in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship match. The decisive match took place on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Rome Tennis Center, solidifying Old Dominion’s position within the conference.
This victory marked Old Dominion’s second consecutive championship win over Georgia Southern, improving their season record to 17-8. In contrast, Georgia Southern concluded the tournament with an overall record of 18-7, achieving its best winning percentage at .720 since 1987.
Old Dominion set the tone early in the match by securing the doubles point with strong performances in both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches, winning each with a score of 6-3. This early advantage proved vital as the teams transitioned into singles play.
Match Progression
During singles play, Old Dominion quickly extended its lead to 3-0 with wins from two of its players. The victories came from the No. 2 and No. 6 singles matches, with decisive performances that showcased the team’s preparation and strategy.
However, Georgia Southern fought back, as Pol del Castillo defeated Old Dominion’s Codie van Schalkwyk in a tight match that ended with scores of 6-4, 7-6 (3) in favor of Georgia Southern. This victory spurred Georgia Southern as they sought to close the gap in the overall match score.
In another singles match, Pierre Mouesca from Georgia Southern took the win against Yanis Moundir from Old Dominion with scores of 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, cutting Old Dominion’s lead to 3-2. Nevertheless, Old Dominion’s Jean-Karim Olivier de Sardan responded by securing a win against Laurent Julia Calac with scores of 7-6 (4), 7-5, bringing the score to 4-2. Aryan Saleh also contributed to the victory by decisively defeating Matthew Mitchell 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 6 singles match.
Final Observations
At the time the match concluded, Dimitris Paliouras from Georgia Southern was leading in his match against Cosme Rolland de Ravel from Old Dominion, with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 3-1. However, the outcome of other matches resulted in Old Dominion securing the championship.
In addition to the team’s victory, individual accolades were awarded during the competition. Pol del Castillo from Georgia Southern received the Elite award, recognizing him as the top academic student-athlete at the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Tennis Championship.
Looking Forward
As the season concludes, Georgia Southern will be saying goodbye to five seniors: Pol del Castillo, Lauren Julia Calac, Dimitris Paliouras, Alex Amacher, and Alex Suk. Meanwhile, the team will retain four student-athletes for the 2025-26 season, aiming to build upon this year’s successes in future competitions.
Overall, this championship match not only highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams but also showcased the growth and talent present across the Sun Belt Conference. The victory solidifies Old Dominion’s position as a formidable force in collegiate tennis, while Georgia Southern can take pride in its performance throughout the season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Old Dominion University Men’s Tennis Welcomes New Recruits
Arkansas State Women’s Tennis Team Exits Sun Belt Quarterfinals
Old Dominion Tennis Teams Headed to NCAA Tournament
Marshall University Athletes Shine at JMU Invite and Tennis Match
Additional Resources
- Georgia Southern Athletics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Belt Conference
- Old Dominion Athletics
- Google Search: Old Dominion University tennis
- Old Dominion Women’s Tennis
- Google Scholar: college tennis
