South Carolina State men’s tennis players and their head coach received top honors from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, according to an announcement on April 23. The awards were determined by votes from conference head coaches and sports information directors.
The recognition highlights a strong season for South Carolina State, with a senior player earning MEAC Men’s Player of the Year and a freshman being named MEAC Men’s Rookie of the Year. Head coach Hardeep Judge was selected as MEAC Men’s Coach of the Year after leading his team to an 11-7 overall record and an undefeated 5-0 mark in conference play.
Bankou earned Player of the Year honors after finishing with a 12-4 singles record and remaining unbeaten in conference matches at the No. 1 position. He also posted a strong doubles performance, going 10-4 overall and perfect in MEAC play alongside his partner. Borodatiuk, who was named Rookie of the Year, finished his first season with a 7-2 singles record and also went undefeated in doubles within conference competition.
Judge completed his 24th season as head coach by guiding South Carolina State to its sixth consecutive regular-season championship. “Coach Judge’s Bulldogs set their sights on a sixth consecutive Men’s Tennis championship,” according to the release.
Other Bulldogs recognized include two seniors and one junior who earned All-MEAC First Team honors. Championship matches will take place at Cary Tennis Park in Cary, North Carolina, beginning Thursday, April 23 with quarterfinals continuing through Saturday’s finals. Both men’s and women’s championship matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
As postseason play begins, South Carolina State enters as the No. 1 seed for both teams and looks to extend its success under Coach Judge.
