KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its first MIAA/GAC Men's Tennis Athletes of the Week for the 2026 season, presented by ClassicCourt – the official tennis surface of the MIAA. Nebraska Kearney’s Ivan Melnik was named the first Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week in the North Division, while Harding’s David Campbell earned the first Athlete of the Week honor in the South Division.
 
NORTH DIVISION ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ivan Melnik, Nebraska Kearney      
Nebraska Kearney opened the 2026 season with an in-division conference match against Augustana last Friday (Jan. 30) in Sioux Falls, SD. Sophomore Ivan Melnik helped the Lopers to their first win with a 5-2 victory over the Vikings, playing at No.1 singles and doubles. He and senior Andy Brisdon began the match with a 6-4 doubles win over Augustana’s Jose Velasco and Maximillian Schmidt. Melnik then defeated Velasco 6-2 and 6-0 to be one of two Lopers to win in straight sets.

SOUTH DIVISION ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: David Campbell, Harding     
David Campbell and the Bison opened the season with a pair of wins against Division III’s Hendrix and NAIA’s John Brown in Conway, Ark. Campbell finished undefeated on the day with two wins at No.3 doubles and another at No.6 singles. The sophomore earned his first singles victory of the spring in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) in Harding’s 7-0 shutout of John Brown. He also defeated John Brown’s No.3 doubles team 7-6 with teammate Luke Rhoden and claimed another doubles victory, 6-4, in the 6-1 win over Hendrix.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Tommy Cecchetti, Washburn  [NORTH DIVISION]
Tommy Cecchetti helped the Ichabods open the spring with a 6-1 win over McKendree this past Saturday (Jan. 31) in Topeka. Cecchetti and Kilian Martinez first earned a 6-1 win at No.1 doubles to begin the match. The junior then defeated Ignacio Paolini in two sets, both 6-2, at No. 2 singles, adding another point to Washburn's total. 
 
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ClassicCourt by Tarkett Sports is a world-class post-tension concrete court system engineered for exceptional strength, durability, and long-term value. Backed by an industry-leading 50-year structural warranty, built with patented technology, and installed by PTI-certified professionals, ClassicCourt raises the standard for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and multi-sport facilities.