Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders win five ITA Ohio Valley Region Awards
6/9/2026 3:08:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – After the conclusion of a successful dual matches season that saw the program earn its seventh-consecutive Conference USA title, Middle Tennessee men's tennis racked up five Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional awards, the program announced Tuesday.
In his second season with the staff, Josh McDermott was named Ohio Valley Region Assistant Coach of the Year. He helped lead the team to another NCAA Tournament berth, while earning his third conference title as an assistant coach. He was instrumental in coaching Karim Al-Amin and Ondrej Horak to a No. 18 ranking in doubles and guided Horak and Antoine Mayoral to an undefeated 8-0 record on the court in the 2026 season.
"Coach Josh overcame adversity again this past season and went above and beyond," said head coach Jimmy Borendame. "He has been a huge part of the championship culture that is brought daily to the program. I speak for the team, we appreciate all of his hard work. He is a rising star in the coaching world and anything he puts his mind towards."
Graduating senior Karim Al-Amin brought home another two awards, earning the Senior Player of the Year title and the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship award. The Ashe award recognizes student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. Al-Amin was named to the All-CUSA Singles First Team, Doubles First Team and was selected to the CUSA All-Academic Team, showcasing his dominance on the court and in the classroom.
Ondrej Horak was voted the winner of the Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award, as an outstanding team leader. The award is given to student-athletes who demonstrate the key tenets of the late Osuna's game, including extraordinary commitment, unwavering dedication to his team, exceptional hard work, courage, sportsmanship and a positive, cooperative attitude that makes people around him play better. The reigning CUSA Player of the Year showed consistent dedication to the Blue Raiders throughout his four years, always taking younger players under his wing and leading by example.
The team was also named Community Service Award Honorable Mention winners, after dedicating hours of their time to helping the Middle Tennessee community. The program constantly held clinics to teach younger members of the community how to play tennis, and gave back in local elementary schools through activities like fall festivals.
In his second season with the staff, Josh McDermott was named Ohio Valley Region Assistant Coach of the Year. He helped lead the team to another NCAA Tournament berth, while earning his third conference title as an assistant coach. He was instrumental in coaching Karim Al-Amin and Ondrej Horak to a No. 18 ranking in doubles and guided Horak and Antoine Mayoral to an undefeated 8-0 record on the court in the 2026 season.
"Coach Josh overcame adversity again this past season and went above and beyond," said head coach Jimmy Borendame. "He has been a huge part of the championship culture that is brought daily to the program. I speak for the team, we appreciate all of his hard work. He is a rising star in the coaching world and anything he puts his mind towards."
Graduating senior Karim Al-Amin brought home another two awards, earning the Senior Player of the Year title and the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship award. The Ashe award recognizes student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. Al-Amin was named to the All-CUSA Singles First Team, Doubles First Team and was selected to the CUSA All-Academic Team, showcasing his dominance on the court and in the classroom.
Ondrej Horak was voted the winner of the Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award, as an outstanding team leader. The award is given to student-athletes who demonstrate the key tenets of the late Osuna's game, including extraordinary commitment, unwavering dedication to his team, exceptional hard work, courage, sportsmanship and a positive, cooperative attitude that makes people around him play better. The reigning CUSA Player of the Year showed consistent dedication to the Blue Raiders throughout his four years, always taking younger players under his wing and leading by example.
The team was also named Community Service Award Honorable Mention winners, after dedicating hours of their time to helping the Middle Tennessee community. The program constantly held clinics to teach younger members of the community how to play tennis, and gave back in local elementary schools through activities like fall festivals.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, March 31
Sunday, March 29
Sunday, March 29
Friday, March 27
