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Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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Alexcie Burrows Bids Farewell to Virginia State
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The curtain has finally fallen on a remarkable collegiate chapter for Bermudian tennis standout Alexcie Burrows. Her career reached its conclusion at the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women’s Tennis Championships, an event that served as a poignant showcase for the island's talent.
Burrows shared the courts in her final competitive outing alongside fellow Bermudians Airez Gilbert-Simons of Johnson C. Smith and Nadhira Durham of Elizabeth City State, marking a significant moment for the Atlantic territory's sporting representation in the United States.
For Burrows, the journey at Virginia State University has been one of extraordinary transformation. Having first arrived at the program as a team manager, she defied expectations to earn a spot on the roster, eventually rising to the rank of team captain. Her departure was marked by one final accolade to add to an already decorated mantle as she was named the recipient of the Coach’s Choice Award for 2026.
Reflecting on her tenure in a heartfelt message to supporters, Burrows described herself as a girl from a small island who was blessed with an opportunity that evolved in ways she never anticipated. She noted that the sport has been a vehicle for profound personal growth, teaching her lessons in discipline and patience while forcing her to believe in her own potential during moments of doubt.
The Bermudian leaves behind a substantial legacy at Virginia State. Her resume includes a Northern Division Championship in 2023 and three selections to the All CIAA Conference Team.
Equally impressive was her performance off the court, where she consistently maintained elite academic standards as a high-honour student athlete. From being named Most Improved in 2024 to earning the Most Valuable Player title in 2025, Burrows has navigated a trajectory that serves as a blueprint for aspiring athletes across the Caribbean.
As she walks away from the university ranks, she does so with the pride of a player who turned a managerial role into a captaincy, leaving the Trojan program in a stronger position than she found it.
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Sunday, April 26, 2026
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Stephens Shines as Top Seeds Dominate at Port Royal
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The tactical battles continued at the Port Royal Golf Course as the Temple of Tennis Open Tournament moved into its decisive stages. Under clear skies on the manicured courts, the day was defined by clinical finishing and several high-intensity doubles encounters that saw the pre-tournament favorites assert their authority.
In the Women's A Division, Victoria Stephens produced the most dominant individual performance of the afternoon. Facing Arianna Parra, Stephens utilized a punishing groundstroke game to dictate play from the baseline. After securing a comfortable 6–2 lead in the first set, Stephens refused to take her foot off the gas, sweeping through the second set without dropping a single game. The 6–2, 6–0 victory sends a clear warning to the rest of the field as the tournament heads toward the final rounds.
The Men's Doubles draw saw Scott Redmond and Tariq Simons showcase their chemistry in a straight-sets win over the young duo of Tobiah Goodchild and Zach Mcguire. While Goodchild and Mcguire showed flashes of brilliance to stay close in the opening set, the experience of Redmond and Simons proved pivotal during the crucial break points. The senior pairing eventually sealed a 6–4, 6–3 win to progress through the bracket.
Mixed Doubles action provided plenty of entertainment for the spectators as two matches ended with identical scorelines. Sinclair Vickers and Caitlin Conyers navigated their way past Andre Carr and Josephine Wilson with a display of well-coordinated net play and reliable serving, securing a 6–2, 6–3 victory. On the adjacent court, Darren Woods and Zaire Simmons matched that feat, overcoming Trystan Thompson and Ella Metschnabel by the same 6–2, 6–3 margin to cap off a day of clinical straight-sets results.
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Saturday, April 25, 2026
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CIAA heartbreak for Bermudian duo as Semi-Final Run Ends
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The 2026 CIAA Women's Tennis Championships drew to a close for Bermuda’s remaining hopefuls as both Virginia State and Johnson C. Smith fell at the semi-final hurdle.
After a week of high-intensity play that saw three Bermudians feature in the tournament, the dream of a conference title ended in the final four for Alexcie Burrows and Airez Gilbert-Simons.
Alexcie Burrows and her Virginia State University teammates faced a formidable challenge in the form of Shaw University. The Trojans, who had looked ruthless in their quarter-final shut-out, found the tables turned as Shaw delivered a clinical 4–0 victory.
Despite Burrows’ consistent form throughout the campaign, the Trojans struggled to find a foothold in the doubles flight and were unable to mount a comeback in the singles competition before the match was clinched. It brings an end to an impressive season for Burrows, who has been a mainstay for Virginia State at the number five spot.
On the adjacent courts, Airez Gilbert-Simons and the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls were embroiled in a tighter affair against Bluefield State. Gilbert-Simons, who had been instrumental in knocking out compatriot Nadhira Durham in the previous round, once again showcased her resilience.
However, Bluefield State proved just too strong in the decisive moments, securing a 4–1 win to book their place in the final. The result marks a bitter end to a promising postseason for Gilbert-Simons, who has emerged as a key leader for the Golden Bulls this year.
While the championship concludes without a Bermudian lifting the trophy, the 2026 tournament has highlighted the growing influence of the island’s talent on the collegiate circuit.
With Burrows, Gilbert-Simons, and Durham all reaching the business end of the championships, the future of Bermudian tennis in the CIAA remains exceptionally bright. The trio will now turn their focus toward the off-season, looking to build on a year that saw them firmly established among the conference's elite.
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Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Thomas Survives Three-Set Thriller as Temple Open Begins
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The manicured courts at the Port Royal Golf Course were transformed into a battleground of baseline rallies and tactical precision as the Temple of Tennis Open Tournament officially got underway. In a day marked by both clinical dominance and grueling endurance, the opening rounds delivered the high-stakes drama expected at the home of Temple Tennis.
The headline act in the Men’s A Division featured a marathon encounter between David Thomas and David Gravier. Thomas appeared to be in total control early on, utilizing a powerful first serve to take the opening set 6–2. However, Gravier refused to fade, mounting a resilient comeback in the second to level the match at 3–6. With the momentum shifting, Thomas found his composure in the decider, breaking serve at a crucial juncture to secure the final set 6–3 and book his place in the next round.
Elsewhere in the A Division, Chris Weeks produced the most ruthless performance of the afternoon. Facing Jadon Spriggs, Weeks put on a masterclass of court coverage and aggressive net play. He swept through the first set without dropping a single game and maintained his focus in the second to record a comprehensive 6–0, 6–1 victory, signaling his intent as a serious title contender.
In the Women’s B Division round-robin action, Caitlin Conyers made an impressive start to her campaign. Coming up against Ella Metschnabel, Conyers demonstrated superior consistency from the back of the court. Despite some spirited resistance from Metschnabel, Conyers proved too strong in the pressure moments, recording a straight-sets 6–3, 6–3 win to secure her first points of the tournament.
The Men’s B Division also provided its share of excitement as Kelljon Evans squared off against Paul Byrne. Evans looked sharp from the outset, racing through the first set 6–1. Byrne adjusted his strategy in the second, pushing the set to the brink as he searched for a way back into the match. However, Evans remained clinical under pressure, sealing a 6–1, 7–5 victory to progress on what was a productive opening day for the tournament’s seeds.
Men's A Division
6 6 Chris Weeks - defeated
0 1 Jadon Spriggs
6 3 6 David Thomas - defeated
2 6 3 David Gravier
6 7 Tobiah Goodchild - defeated
0 5 Alex Cooper
Men's B Division
Oladapo Siyanbola - defeated
Riley Maybury - Medical
6 7 Kelljon Evans - defeated
1 5 Paul Byrne
6 6 Cyre Trott - defeated
2 2 Micah Lambert
Women's B Division
6 6 Caitlin Conyers - defeated
3 3 Ella Metschnabel
6 6 Arianna Parra - defeated
0 0 Kate Pursell
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Friday, April 24, 2026
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Bermudian Talent Takes Centre Stage at CIAA Championships
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The 2026 CIAA Women's Tennis Championships have become a showcase for Bermudian excellence as three of the island’s top collegiate players battled for a spot in the semi-finals. Representing their respective institutions, Airez Gilbert-Simons, Nadhira Durham, and Alexcie Burrows all featured in the high-stakes quarter-final round as the hunt for conference silverware intensified.
The morning session produced a direct Bermudian clash as Airez Gilbert-Simons and Johnson C. Smith squared off against Nadhira Durham’s Elizabeth City State. It was Gilbert-Simons who emerged victorious as the Golden Bulls secured a clinical 4–0 win to advance. The doubles point set the tone for the encounter, with Durham and partner Reichel Freytes falling 6–1 to the pairing of Maykayla Ramos and Divila Manneni.
The singles competition proved equally challenging for Durham at the number two spot. Taking on Farah Elshahat, Durham dropped the first set 6–2 and was trailing 3–2 in the second when the overall match was halted. In a twist of irony, it was Gilbert-Simons who delivered the final blow for Johnson C. Smith. Competing in the number five singles position, she produced a dominant straight-sets victory over Kennedy Rollins with a 6–1, 6–2 scoreline to seal her team’s place in the final four.
Meanwhile, Alexcie Burrows continued her fine form to help Virginia State University secure their own semi-final berth. The Trojans were in ruthless form as they dismantled Winston-Salem State 4–0. Burrows was instrumental in the doubles flight, pairing with Damita Bollers at the number three spot to record a sharp 6–1 win over Briana Drew and Dezaire Black-Macon.
Burrows appeared on track for a straight-sets victory in her individual singles match before the contest was brought to an early conclusion. Competing at number five, she had comfortably taken the opening set 6–2 and held a 3–2 lead in the second set when Virginia State officially wrapped up the team victory. With both Gilbert-Simons and Burrows safely through, the prospect of an all-Bermudian showdown later in the tournament remains a tantalising possibility for fans back home.
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