|
|
 |
|
Friday, May 01, 2026
|
|
Phillips Sweeps All-Conference Honours After Stellar Season
|
Tulane University’s Daniel Phillips has cemented his status as one of the premier talents in collegiate tennis, securing a double-haul of postseason honours in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) awards.
The Bermudian standout has been named to the Singles All-Conference team, while also picking up an All-Conference Doubles nod alongside partner Lance Nisbet. The recognition follows a campaign of sustained excellence that saw the Green Wave duo finish the year with a formidable national ranking of 41st.
Operating at the demanding No. 1 singles position, Phillips navigated a punishing schedule to finish with a 16-11 record. His season was defined by his ability to perform under pressure against elite opposition, most notably securing two ranked victories over Rice’s Petro Kuzemenok—first when his opponent was ranked 49th, and again during a high-stakes encounter in the American Conference Tournament.
On the Doubles court, Phillips and Nisbet proved to be a clinical pairing. The duo posted a 9-6 record, headlined by a series of "giant-killing" performances. Their highlights included a stunning victory over then-No. 11 Arizona State, as well as pivotal wins against No. 21 LSU and No. 63 Liberty.
The sweep of awards marks a significant milestone for Phillips, whose consistency at the top of the lineup has been a cornerstone of Tulane's competitive edge this season. As the Green Wave looks toward the next cycle, Phillips is firmly established as the "man to beat" in the AAC circuit.
|
|
|
Thursday, April 30, 2026
|
|
Durham Named Elizabeth City State Rookie of the Year
|
 The awards season has brought further celebration for Bermudian tennis as Nadhira Durham capped an outstanding debut collegiate campaign by being named the Rookie of the Year at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU).
In her first year with the Vikings, the freshman from Bermuda has rapidly established herself as a vital component of the program’s resurgence. Competing primarily at the number two and three singles positions, Durham’s transition to the U.S. collegiate ranks has been seamless, marked by a clinical playing style and a tactical maturity that belies her newcomer status.
Durham’s impact was instrumental in helping ECSU achieve its best season record since 2011. Her debut year was highlighted by dominant straight-set victories in conference play, including a standout performance during the CIAA Tennis Round-Up where she dismantled her opposition to help the Vikings secure a crucial sweep.
Her season reached its climax at last week's CIAA Women’s Tennis Championships in Virginia. In a poignant moment for the Atlantic territory, Durham competed in the quarter-finals alongside fellow Bermudians Alexcie Burrows and Airez Gilbert-Simons. While ECSU’s tournament run ended in a 4-0 defeat to Johnson C. Smith, Durham was in the midst of a fierce battle at the number two singles spot, trailing by only a narrow margin when the match was halted.
As the curtain falls on her first year in North Carolina, the Rookie of the Year accolade serves as a clear indication of Durham’s trajectory. With three years of eligibility remaining, the Bermudian standout has not only proven she belongs at the collegiate level but has positioned herself as a cornerstone for the future of the Vikings' program.
|
|
|
Thursday, April 30, 2026
|
|
Drama and Departures in Temple Tennis at Port Royal
|
The Temple of Tennis Open Tournament reached a fever pitch at the Port Royal Golf Course Tennis Courts this week, as a day of high-stakes action delivered a mix of tie-break tension, a clinical semi-final masterclass, and an unfortunate injury retirement.
In the Men’s A Division, Zach McGuire continued his formidable run, securing a place in the final with a dominant straight-sets victory over Evan Heyliger. McGuire, who has looked increasingly sharp as the tournament progresses, took the opening set 6-4 before accelerating away in the second. His clinical 6-1 finish in the final set leaves him as a heavy favourite heading into the championship decider.
The Women’s B Division provided the afternoon’s most grueling battle, as Lee Terceira edged out Caitlin Conyers in a three-set thriller. After trading sets 6-4 and 4-6, the match moved into a deciding championship tie-breaker. Terceira’s experience and baseline consistency proved the difference under pressure, as she pulled away to secure the tie-break 10-4.
However, the day took a somber turn in the Men's draw during the encounter between David Thomas and Hugh Seymour. In a match characterized by long, punishing rallies, Thomas took the first set 6-4 before Seymour battled back to take a high-quality second set 7-6. With the match poised for a decider and the score locked at one set apiece, Thomas was forced to retire, handing Seymour a place in the next round.
As the tournament enters its final stages, the focus shifts to the Men's A Final, where McGuire will look to cap off a near-flawless week on the Port Royal hard courts.
Men's A Quarter-Finals
6 6 Hugh Seymour - defeated
4 7 David Thomas - Retired
Men's A Semi-Finals
6 6 Zach Mcguire - defeated
4 1 Evan Heyliger
Men's B Semi-Finals
7 6 Renie Marcos - defeated
5 1 Oladapo Siyanbola
Mixed Doubles
7 6 Jenson Bascome & Shonette Wilson - defeated
5 2 Darren Woods & Zaire Simmons
Women's B
6 4 10 Lee Terceira - defeated
4 6 04 Caitlin Conyers
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
|
|
Tie-break Drama as Temple of Tennis Open Ignites at Port Royal
|
The Temple of Tennis Open Tournament shifted into another gear at the Port Royal Golf Course Tennis Courts, as a series of gruelling encounters pushed some of the island’s top seeds to the absolute limit. In a remarkable afternoon of competitive symmetry, three high-profile doubles matches required a deciding third-set tie-breaker to separate the pairings.
In the Men’s Doubles draw, the youth pairing of Tobiah Goodchild and Zach McGuire showcased immense mental fortitude to come from behind against the veteran duo of Chris Weeks and David Thomas. After dropping a tight first set 7-5, Goodchild and McGuire roared back to take the second 6-3, before narrowly edging a tense championship tie-breaker 10-8.
The drama continued on the adjacent court, where Scott Redmond and Tariq Simons were forced to dig deep against Jack Keyes and Alex Cooper. In a match defined by heavy hitting and tactical shifts, Redmond and Simons mirrored the comeback narrative of the afternoon. After trading 6-4 sets, the pair survived a nail-biting exchange to clinch the tie-breaker 11-9, securing their progression by the thinnest of margins.
The Women’s Doubles bracket was not without its own share of theatre. Cayla Cross and Zaire Simmons found themselves in a physical battle against Victoria Stephens and Lucy Yasumi. Cross and Simmons took the opening set 6-4 but were pegged back in the second as Stephens and Yasumi found their rhythm. However, in the deciding moments, Cross and Simmons regained their clinical edge to take the tie-breaker 10-7.
With the tournament heading into its final stages, the ability to perform under the extreme pressure of the ten-point tie-breaker is fast becoming the defining characteristic of this year's contenders.
Men's A Quarter-Finals
6 6 Evan Heyliger - defeated
0 2 Jon Brunson
Men's B Quarter-Finals
6 6 Renie Marcos - defeated
0 2 Andre Carr
Men's Doubles
5 6 10 Tobiah Goodchild and Zach Mcguire - defeated
7 3 08 Chris Weeks and David Thomas
4 6 11 Scott Redmond and Tariq Simons - defeated
6 4 09 Jack Keyes and Alex Cooper
Women's Doubles
6 7 Caitlin Conyers and Josephine Wilson - defeated
4 6 Isabella Neururer and Lee Terceira
6 4 10 Cayla Cross and Zaire Simmons - defeated
4 6 07 Victoria Stephens and Lucy Yasumi
Mixed Doubles
6 6 Zach Mcguire and Arianna Parra - defeated
3 4 Sinclair Vickers and Caitlin Conyers
Women's B
6 6 Lee Terceira - defeated
2 2 Ella Metschnabel
6 6 Arianna Parra - defeated
2 4 Samantha Morgan
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
|
|
Alexcie Burrows Bids Farewell to Virginia State
|
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.
|
|
|
|
