ROME, Ga. (May 8, 2026) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team was defeated Friday morning in the UTR Sports NIT Championship Final, falling short in a 4-2 result vs. top-seeded Virginia Tech in Rome, Ga.
North Alabama caps its season with a 15-10 record, totaling the third-most wins in a season in Division I program history. In the team's second appearance in the championships, UNA secured the second-place finish after making the quarterfinals in 2024.
North Alabama looked to claim the NIT title against top seed Virginia Tech — an ACC opponent — after defeating Longwood one day prior to make the final. The Lions brought the fight in the bout, competing early to set the tone.
All three doubles courts were contested early to start the dual. UNA senior Lachlan Brain and sophomore Samu Dominguez opened the scoring with a strong 6-1 win over Drew Fishback and Frank Thompson from court one. The Hokies claimed the top flight with a 6-2 victory, setting up the decider from court two. Junior Alex Despoja and sophomore Satoru Nakajima forced a tiebreaking final game, but the two fell to Ilyas Fahim and Patrick Jurina, 7-6.
North Alabama responded in singles with two-straight victories to take a 2-1 team lead. Junior Izan Orgiles secured the first win in a 6-2, 6-2 triumph from court two over Eyal Shumilov. Junior Alberto Altur continued UNA's winning ways with a court two win over Patrick Jurina, 6-4, 6-1.
Virginia Tech answered back with two consecutive wins to retake the lead. Fishback was able to fend off Despoja's comeback in a 6-1, 6-3 win from court four. The Hokies also took the top flight after Fahim defeated Brain with a 6-4, 6-3 result.
The final two matches came down to their third set, but Virginia Tech proved able to fend off the Lions' rally. Nakajima was leading in the third set and one game away from claiming a win on court six, but the Hokies registered the winning point on court five. Despite Dominguez forcing the third set, Blake Hilsen clinched the championship point for Virginia Tech, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Virginia Tech 4, North Alabama 2
Doubles
1. Eyal Shumilov/Blake Hilsen (VT) def. Izan Orgiles/Alberto Altur (UNA), 6-2
2. Ilyas Fahim/Patrick Jurina (VT) def. Satoru Nakajima/Alex Despoja (UNA), 7-6
3. Lachlan Brain/Samu Dominguez (UNA) def. Drew Fishback/Frank Thompson (VT), 6-1
Order of Finish: (3,2,1)
Singles
1. Ilyas Fahim (VT) def. Lachlan Brain (UNA), 6-4, 6-3
2. Alberto Altur (UNA) def. Patrick Jurina (VT), 6-4, 6-1
3. Izan Orgiles (UNA) def. Eyal Shumilov (VT), 6-2, 6-2
4. Drew Fishback (VT) def. Alex Despoja (UNA), 6-1, 6-3
5. Blake Hilsen (VT) def. Samu Dominguez (UNA), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
6. Satoru Nakajima (UNA) vs. Thomás Brandão (VT), 7-5, 6-7, 5-2, unfinished
Order of Finish: (3,2,4,1,5)
Match Notes
North Alabama: 15-10
Virginia Tech: 8-16
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
