NORFOLK, Va. -- Norfolk State sophomore Jakub Solarski won the Nat Warren Invitational over the weekend, concluding a spectacular two-day stretch of tennis at the Nat Warren Tennis Center.  

The tournament, which ran from Saturday, Apr. 19 to Sunday, Apr. 20, brought 32 talented men's tennis players together for a single-elimination showdown. After the first round, the event was divided into a winner's bracket and consolation ladder. 

Solarski conquered the event, taking down Mary Washington senior Rishi Shankar 6-4 (7-6 (4) in the championship match. NSU freshman Michele Elia won the consolation ladder, defeating David Garcia Carrasco 6-3, 6-1. 

Norfolk State landed three players in the four-person semifinals: Solarski, Deniz Okyay, and Vladisav Gorbatenko. Solarski defeated Okyay by opponent retirement, as Shankard took down Gorbatenko 6-3, 7-6 (2).  

Made possible by two tremendous donors of the program – Lisa Deaver of CARR Healthcare Commercial Real Estate, as well as the Felts Family of Tidewater Gymnastics Academy – the Nat Warren Invitational is named after the legendary former head coach at Norfolk State. 

The Spartans head to Cary, N.C. this week for the MEAC Tennis Championships, with the No. 3 seed men's team slated for a 2 p.m. matchup against No. 6 seed Coppin State on Thursday.  

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