BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – FDU hall of famer and first year head coach
Alex Cole was named the NEC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year on Friday morning per an announcement from the conference office. Cole's men's and women's teams also had eight Knights receive All-NEC honors.
Cole, the owner of three FDU degrees, took over as the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach in Teaneck on September 6, 2024. Both of his teams saw success in his first season, but the women were the ones that ended a title drought. In the non-conference portion of their schedule, the women pulled off impressive road victories over Fairfield and St. John's. They were dominant against NEC competition. FDU went a perfect 8-0 against conference opponents en route to capturing the NEC Championship. It marked their first title since 2016 and booked their fifth trip to the NCAA tournament.
On the men's side, FDU earned three All-NEC distinctions.
Joshua Oboniye was named All-NEC Second Team for doubles. The junior amassed 14 victories in doubles this season.
Gryffin Minor received All-NEC Second Team for singles. Minor was in the top three of FDU's lineup all season and won 14 singles matches. Junior
Tyler Crook earned second team honors in both singles and doubles. Crook went 7-2 in singles and 10-4 in doubles before his season was cut short due to injury.
On the women's side, five Knights graced the All-NEC list. FDU's number one
Namie Isago led the team with 16 singles wins and was named First Team All-NEC for singles.
Anastasia Lim made the first team list for both singles and doubles. She won 14 singles matches and collected 11 victories on the doubles side.
Alena Kubanova earned First Team All-NEC doubles honors for her stellar record of 16-8. She also was named second team on the singles side with 15 victories.
Yelena Kim made second team singles with 13 victories on the year. Freshman
Ann Kato made the NEC All-Rookie Team. She finished 11-4 in singles and picked up 4 doubles victories.
Full NEC release.
The FDU women will take on #7 Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament today (May 2) at 1 p.m.
