Jeff Cero Named ITA Regional Coach of the Year, Bruins Ranked in Ohio Valley Region

TEMPE, Ariz. – Following a remarkable season and the Belmont University men's tennis team's fourth NCAA Championship appearance in program history, head coach Jeff Cero has been named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Ohio Valley Region Coach of the Year. In addition to coach Cero's prestigious postseason honor, which was announced by the governing body of college tennis Tuesday morning, the Bruins are ranked in the final ITA regional rankings.
 
Belmont's top doubles tandem of junior Sabi Roi and sophomore Stefan Vedovelli also appear in the final regional rankings, checking in at No. 8 in the ITA Ohio Valley Region.
 
As a team, the Bruins close the spring ranked ninth in the Ohio Valley Region.
 
In only his second season guiding Belmont and first full year, Cero led the Bruins to their second Horizon League Championship title in three seasons and third consecutive Horizon League South Division crown. Continuing Belmont's impressive recent success and championship pedigree, Cero piloted the Bruins to their fourth-straight undefeated conference season and fourth-straight regular season title. For the first time in school history, Belmont earned a No. 3 regional seed as the Bruins were the third seed in the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship Columbus Regional hosted by Ohio State.
 
Finishing 13-11 on the season, Belmont reached its third NCAA Championship in five seasons with a gutsy, come-from-behind 4-3 victory over defending champion Cleveland State in the Horizon League Championship final. During the regular season, the Bruins knocked off nationally-ranked Memphis, 4-2, on the road before improving to 19-0 all-time in Horizon League play.
 
In addition to the regionally-ranked doubles duo of Roi and Vedovelli, Cero mentored All-Horizon League First Team performer Esunge Ndumbe (junior) and Horizon League Freshman of the Year Charlie Robin. Both Roi and Robin were All-Horizon League Second Team selections.
 
Headlining Belmont's doubles lineup, Roi (Lyon, France) and Vedovelli (Mezzolombardo, Italy) went 6-6 at the No. 1 spot. The pair's marquee win during the season took place on March 13 in Auburn, Alabama, where they upset the No. 13 doubles team in the nation by defeating the Tigers' Billy Blaydes and Will Nolan 6-4.
 
After playing individual tournaments throughout the summer, the Bruins will return to collegiate action in September with singles and doubles tournaments this fall. Belmont will welcome three freshmen in August and return seven letter winners from its 2025 campaign.
 
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