DALLAS – Conference USA announced on Tuesday afternoon that Vanja Dobrnjac was named the CUSA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Month for November. This honor comes after the senior Gamecock's first-place finish in the top singles flight at the North Alabama Invitational.
 
"Vanja has been building a strong foundation for success all Fall," head coach Trey Morris said. "We are happy to see that his hard work in training paid off in results and are excited to see him continue down the same path in the months to come."
 
Dobrnjac, a third-year contributor from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, posted three huge wins in Florence in that event. He topped Troy's Luciano Alcocer, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round, then downed 2023 ASUN Freshman of the Year Lachlan Brain on his home court in the semifinals. That 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, triumph over UNA's star propelled him into the finals, where the Jax State standout made quick work of Jonasz Dzipoak of Tennessee State. A 6-1, 6-4, win brought home the hardware to Calhoun County and helped Dobrnjac net a big league honor.
 
Morris and Jacksonville State's coaching staff are expecting big things from the Charlotte transfer this season. Dobrnjac, the lone returning senior on the squad, is coming off a productive Spring 2023 campaign in which he totaled 15 singles victories and nine doubles results.
 
Dorbnjac's selection as CUSA Athlete of the Month serves as the program's first weekly recognition since moving over from the ASUN Conference.
 
Jacksonville State men's tennis is currently continuing preparations for its first Spring under Morris and its first year competing in Conference USA. The Gamecocks will undergo a training block through the remainder of the Fall semester and over winter break, leading up to their first regular season contests in January.
 
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