JACKSONVILLE – Ivan Marrero Curbelo achieved program history on Wednesday afternoon as he secured the first ever ITA Singles Ranking for a Jacksonville State men's tennis student-athlete. The Las Palmas, Spain, native entered the initial 2023-24 rankings at No. 45 nationally. 
 
"This is a phenomenal individual achievement and we're very proud of him for accomplishing this in only a few tournaments this Fall," head coach Trey Morris said. "While this is massive, our players and coaching staff believe there are still big things to come from Ivan and the rest of the group."
 
This accolade should come as no surprise for Marrero Curbelo. After leading Saint Leo to an ITA Men's National Indoor Championship and earning All-American and All-Region honors as a Lion last Spring, he announced his transfer to Jax State in the offseason and immediately began producing at a high rate. 
 
The newest Gamecock opened his Jacksonville State career at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships in Athens, Ga., in late September. At that event he scored two wins, including one over Georgia's Ryan Colby, before bowing out in the Red Draw semifinals. Marrero Curbelo and Lucius Soller teamed up in the doubles court as well, advancing to the finals of their draw. 
 
Ivan received a bye to the Main Draw at the ITA Fall Regionals in Auburn, Ala., in mid-October and topped Raul Dobai of Auburn on his home court in two sets. After shocking Ole Miss star and top seed Nikola Slavic in the second round, he suffered a narrow loss in the quarterfinals. 
 
History was achieved at the ITF Futures Harlingen M25 by Marrero Curbelo. He became the first player in program history to make runs to the semifinals in both singles and doubles play of the same ITF event in that invite in Texas. Highlights of his one-on-one run included upsetting Duke's Garrett Johns, a consensus top-20 player, and top-seeded Federico Agustin Gomez. In doubles play, the tandem of Marrero Curbelo and Jared Thompkins posted two victories then lost to the eventual champions in the third round. 
 
In his final event of the Fall slate at the ITF Futures Winston-Salem 15K, the senior Gamecock picked up a qualifying triumph against Martin Mazev of Wake Forest before exiting the event with an opening-round setback against the event's top seed. 
 
"Making history like this is huge for Ivan, but credit goes to all the guys on the team," Morris said. "It's a testament as well to all the upperclassmen and alumni who've put in work to build up this program to where we are right now. In addition, it could not have happened without the support staff and administration for the support they've given our student-athletes and program, and it's a big accomplishment for our coaching staff who worked very hard to put together this squad. Without tireless work on a day-in and day-out basis from the entire group, rankings and accomplishments like this do not happen."
 
Following his historic Fall, Marrero Curbelo is set for his first Spring at Jax State. The men's tennis program will continue training throughout the Fall semester and Winter break ahead of the regular season kicking off in mid-January. 
 
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