Grand Rapids Reporter

The Ferris State University men's tennis team has been recognized with significant honors in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for the 2024 season. The entire starting lineup received All-GLIAC accolades, and the team secured two major awards as announced by the GLIAC on Friday.

Kevin Kovacs from Ferris State was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, the coaching staff led by head coach Mark Doren was awarded GLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year.

Six players from Ferris State were included among the 14 representatives on the All-GLIAC First and Second Teams. Benjamin Lortie and Esunge Ndumbe were honored with First Team recognition in singles play. Jan Koupil, Kevin Kovacs, Yannic Alexander Mader, and Alessandro Santangelo earned Second Team honors in singles. In doubles play, Koupil and Lortie received First Team accolades.

The voting for these awards was conducted by head coaches from member schools and coincided with the GLIAC Tournament held at Midland Tennis Center in Midland, Michigan.

Kovacs has had a notable season, contributing to Ferris State's second consecutive league regular-season championship. He achieved an 11-2 record in singles matches this season and a 5-1 record within league play at number six flight. In doubles, he recorded a 7-3 mark overall and also went 5-1 in league matches. His combined singles and doubles record stands at 18-5 overall, including a 10-2 league record.

Under head coach Mark Doren's leadership, Ferris State claimed its second consecutive GLIAC men's tennis regular-season championship with an undefeated 6-0 conference record. The Bulldogs have won ten consecutive matches leading into the league tournament and finished their regular season with a 15-4 overall record. They are currently ranked second in the Midwest Regional Rankings.

This spring marks Ferris State's 22nd all-time league regular-season title and their seventh championship in nine seasons where such titles have been awarded. The team maintained a perfect home record of 10-0 at FSU Racquet and Fitness Center this year.

Ferris State will begin their GLIAC Tournament campaign on Saturday (April 27) during the semifinals in Midland.