LEWISBURG, Pa. – No. 2 seed Bucknell used a strong singles performance to upset top-seeded Navy and claim the 2025 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Championship. The title marks the Bison’s second overall and their first since the League transitioned to a team-format championship in 1994.

Navy took an early 1-0 lead by capturing the doubles point. Aniketh Ayinala and Jason Kim struck first with a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles, followed by Luke Garner and Jake Young clinching the point with a 6-2 victory at No. 1 doubles.

Bucknell quickly responded by taking control in the top four singles matches. Junior Adam Stavrakas evened the score with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles. Classmate Amar Tahirovic followed with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles over Navy’s Herrick Legaspi.

Junior Liam Kilmer gave the Bison a 3-1 advantage with a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles, setting the stage for junior Oscar Bain to clinch the championship with a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 4 singles.

Stavrakas was named the 2025 Joe Abrahamson Memorial Award winner, which is awarded to the Patriot League Championship MVP. The honor is selected by the winning team’s head coach following the championship match.

Stavrakas went 4-0 during the tournament, including three wins at No. 2 singles and a win at No. 2 doubles against Lehigh.

Bucknell earns the League’s automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship. The full bracket will be announced Sunday, April 28, on NCAA.com.

Bucknell 4, Navy 1
DOUBLES (in order of finish): 3, 1
1. Luke Garner/Jake Young (Navy) def. Amar Tahirovic/Brendan McDonald 6-2
2. Adam Stavrakas/Oscar Bain vs. Herrick Legaspi/Charlie Spencer 5-4 UNF
3. Aniketh Ayinala/Jason Kim (Navy) def. Liam Kilmer/William Robinson 6-2

SINGLES (in order of finish): 2, 1, 3, 4
1. Amar Tahirovic (BUCK) def. Herrick Legaspi (Navy) 6-2, 6-0
2. Adam Stavrakas (BUCK) def. Nathan Nguyen (Navy) 6-1, 6-1
3. Liam Kilmer (BUCK) def. Luke Garner (Navy) 6-2, 6-3
4. Oscar Bain (BUCK) def. Jake Young (Navy) 6-3, 6-2
5. Brendan McDonald (BUCK) vs. Jeffery Etterbeek 5-7, 3-3 UNF
6. William Robinson (BUCK) vs. Aniketh Ayinala 4-6, 1-5 UNF

ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.