Starkville Welcomes NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship
STARKVILLE, Miss. (May 1, 2025) – The stage is set as the University of North Alabama men’s tennis team embarks on its first-ever NCAA Tournament journey. The Lions will square off against the Michigan State Spartans on Friday, May 2, at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre in Starkville. Match time is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT.
This matchup will mark a historical moment for North Alabama’s Division I program. The Lions (ranked No. 68) are facing a tough opponent in the Spartans (No. 22), who hail from the Big Ten Conference. For both squads, this is the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship, held at a neutral site, presenting a unique challenge for the players.
If the Lions emerge victorious, they’ll continue on to the second round on Saturday, May 3, locking horns with the winner of the Mississippi State vs. New Orleans match at 1 p.m.. For those wanting to follow the action, live stats and a live stream will be available via HailState.com. Tickets can also be purchased through the same website.
This season, North Alabama made headlines by winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship after a commanding 4-1 victory against Stetson on April 19, boasting a perfect 10-0 conference record. Key players in that match included sophomore Alberto Altur, senior Nazar Fedoryshyn, and freshman Satoru Nakajima, who all clinched singles wins to secure the title. This was a significant achievement as it was the first ASUN championship for any UNA sport since joining Division I in 2018.
Despite this being their first NCAA tournament at the Division I level, North Alabama has some history in this arena, as they played in 13 NCAA tournaments back in their Division II days, securing just one win against Harding in 2002.
Highlighting the accolades this season, Head Coach Aitor Reparaz received the ASUN Coach of the Year award. Several Lions earned honors, with junior Lachlan Brain named to the ASUN First Team and sophomores Alberto Altur and Izan Orgiles landing on the ASUN Second Team. Freshman Satoru Nakajima also secured a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
As the Lions gear up for this historic match, their impressive record stands at 19-3 overall. This season has seen stellar performances, particularly in doubles matches, where the team is 32-19 and in singles action where they are 81-28. Alberto Altur and Satoru Nakajima each lead in singles victories with 15 wins.
On the other side, Michigan State is coming off a solid season with a 16-9 overall record and a 10-3 showing in the Big Ten. They faced a setback in the Big Ten Tournament but are looking to make their mark in this NCAA Championship.
With anticipation building, fans are eager to see how this unprecedented journey unfolds for North Alabama’s men’s tennis team. Remember to check regular updates and recaps on RoarLions.com after each match day, and stay connected through their social media pages, @UNATennis.
Match Details:
NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships – First Round
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Michigan State
Date: Friday, May 2
Time: 10 a.m. CT
Location: Starkville, Miss.
Venue: A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre
Live Stats: HailState.com
Live Video: HailState.com
Tickets: HailState.com
Social Media: @UNATennis
