SUMTER, S.C. -
Ilian Borlee and
Simon Malis advanced to the semifinal round of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Southeast Regional this past weekend at the Palmetto Tennis Center.
Malis and Borlee made career advancements at the tournament as they played to their highest round in their careers. Malis' defeat came at the hands of the 2024 and would be 2025 ITA Southeast Region champion, Pedro Liborio of the University of North Georgia in three sets. In his four wins, Malis defeated three of them in two sets, with his best win coming against Maksim Kachuk of Chowan University 6-2 and 6-0 in the opening round of the tournament. Borlee made the furthest jump from last year where he advanced to the Round of 32. On route to the quarterfinal match, Borlee defeated top-seeded Agustin Mastri of Catawba College 3-6, 6-4, and 6-3. in the quarterfinal match.
Flagler was the only school to have a player competing in each of the quarterfinal rounds. Making their ITA debut for the Saints,
Filip Kana and
Raphael Rousson advanced to the Round of 16. Kana faced would be ITA Southeast Region runner-pp, Harry Pugh, in his final match. Kana won his two matches in two sets each, with his best win coming against Barton College's Aditya Chauhan 6-1 and 6-1 in the Round of 64. Making his Flagler debut, Rousson dominated his first two wins. Against Lucas Mruk of Newberry College, Rousson earned his first win 6-0 and 6-2. In the Round of 32, Rousson defeated Daniel Garcia of Middle Georgia State University 6-2 and 6-1.
