NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State men's tennis team continued its fall campaign with a strong showing at the Horizon League Fall Championships, highlighted by senior Taj Hibbert's run to the semifinals in singles play and a doubles semifinal appearance alongside sophomore James Adler Germinal.

Hibbert led the Tigers once again with a standout weekend against a deep Horizon League field. The senior from Sydney, Australia, opened with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Belmont's Eli Mizerski before dominating Morgan Woods of Belmont, 6-1, 6-0. He followed with a gritty three-set victory over sixth-seeded Charlie Rubin (Belmont), 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, to reach the semifinals. Hibbert's run ended in a hard-fought battle against top-seeded and eventual champion Sabi Roi (Belmont), falling 6-7, 6-4, 3-6.

In doubles play, Hibbert and Adler Germinal formed one of the tournament's most effective duos. The Tiger tandem rolled past IU Indianapolis' Gunwall/Nguyen team 8-3, then defeated Youngstown State's Vonbank/Ceradelli 8-1 to advance to the semifinals, where they narrowly fell to Cleveland State's Battle/Gesitschka, 6-8.

Adler Germinal also competed in singles, where he dropped his opening match to No. 8 seed Alexis Mauleout (Youngstown State), 2-6, 2-6.

Junior Christopher Bogelin battled through a competitive three-set match against fifth-seeded Carl Gesitschka (Cleveland State), falling 1-6, 6-1, 4-6. Fellow junior Alexander Adamec fell 2-6, 3-6 to IU Indianapolis' Konner Gunwall, while senior Tatenda Mutetwa was defeated by top seed Lincoln Battle (Cleveland State), 1-6, 1-6.

In doubles, Adamec and Mutetwa teamed up but dropped their opening match 3-8 to Cleveland State's Jamison/Chappell pairing.

Despite several tough draws, the Tigers displayed poise and competitive energy throughout the weekend, continuing to build momentum under head coach Jeremy Taylor. TSU competed among a strong Horizon League field that included Belmont, Cleveland State, Youngstown State, and IU Indianapolis, marking another positive step forward in the Tigers' fall season.

Up Next

Tennessee State returns to action at the ITA Regionals in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from October 9–12.