SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Fares Kilani has been named the Southern Conference’s Men’s Tennis Player of the Week for all matches played April 1-7. Kilani went 6-0 in singles and doubles play last week as the Bulldogs went 2-1 in conference action. Samford earned 7-0 sweeps over Chattanooga and Wofford before dropping a 4-3 decision to Furman. It is the second time this year Kilani has earned the weekly award, as he picked up the honor February 26.
Competing at No. 3 singles for the Bulldogs, Kilani opened the week with a straight-sets win over UTC’s Ankit Chopra, 6-2, 6-3. The freshman then pulled out a three-set victory over Wofford’s Jackson Keith (2-6, 6-1, 6-1). Kilani closed his singles play last week with another three-set win, as he outlasted Furman’s Matt Browne, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The Tunis, Tunisia, native was paired with Alex Sajonz in doubles play last week, and Samford’s No. 3 doubles team posted a perfect week. Kilani and Sajonz downed Chattanooga’s Manuel Barroetavena and Jackson Tresnan, 8-3. Kilani and Sajonz then held off Wofford’s David Sklar and Parks Thompson, 8-4, before closing the week with an 8-3 victory over Furman’s Jacob Behal and Tyler Droll.
With three singles wins, Kilani improved his record to 13-6 this spring. Kilani and Sajonz are now 8-4 at No. 3 doubles, including a 7-1 mark in league play.
The Bulldogs (11-8, 6-2 SoCon) return to action Friday at noon when they visit Georgia Southern (9-7, 5-3 SoCon).
Other top performers in the Southern Conference included College of Charleston’s Zach Lewis, Furman’s Andrew Mellow, Georgia Southern’s Andrew Dromsky, UNCG’s James Dougherty, UTC’s Jackson Tresnan and Wofford’s Rob Galloway.
SoCon Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Feb. 12 – Manuel Barroetavena, UTC
Feb. 19 – James Dougherty, UNCG
Feb. 26 – Fares Kilani, Samford
March 5 – Cameron Silverman, Elon
March 13 – Joe Schafer, Davidson
March 19 – Cameron Silverman, Elon
March 26 – Sebastien King, Appalachian State
April 2 – Matt Browne, Furman
April 9 – Fares Kilani, Samford