TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State men’s tennis team featured four winners on the ITA Division I Southeast Regional Awards list. The Seminoles earned the most awards of any team in their region and achieved four or more regional awards, both records set for a second consecutive season.

Assistant coach Sudanwa Sitaram was named the ITA Southeast Assistant Coach of the Year for a second straight year. Three players earned individual awards as Alex Bulte was given the Southeast Arthur Ashe Leadership award, Youcef Rihane earned the ITA Southeast Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship award, and Corey Craig was named the ITA Southeast Most Improved Player.

Sitaram enjoyed a strong second season on the FSU coaching staff which saw the Seminoles extend numerous records. The program had five All-Americans in 2024, nearly doubling its total number in just one calendar year to 12. The team also holds a 14-0 record against teams in the region since Sitaram joined the staff and achieved an ITA top-10 team ranking in both seasons. 

Bulte captained the team in his final collegiate season and became an All-American following a NCAA Doubles semifinal run in the fall. The Melbourne, Australia, native was a 2024 ITA South Sectional Doubles co-champion and became the highest ranked doubles pairing at #3 in program history alongside Rihane.

Bulte was named to the 2025 All-ACC Doubles Second Team and was a two-time ACC doubles team of the week honoree. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in economics and was a three-time dean’s list recipient. 

Rihane became an All-American following a NCAA Doubles semifinal run and the 2024 ITA South Sectional Doubles co-champion alongside Bulte. Rihane was also named to the 2025 All-ACC Doubles Second Team and was a three-time doubles team of the week honoree.

The Algiers, Algeria, native graduated with his bachelor’s degree in information communication and technology while also being named to the 2024 All-ACC Academic Team and 2023-24 ACC Academic Honor Roll.

Craig made an immediate impact in his first season in Tallahassee. He entered the ITA All-American Championships as a wild card entry and won five straight matches to reach the quarterfinals, knocking off four ranked players in his incredible run. He repeated the same feat at the NCAA Singles championship becoming an All-American while defeating the No. 11 player in the nation in his run to the quarterfinals.

Craig carried that momentum into 2025 as he became the top player on the squad in singles on Court 1 for the reigning ACC champions. Craig earned a spot on the All-ACC Singles First Team following a 19-7 season with 11 ranked wins and four top-25 wins. The Coconut Creek native was unbeaten at home in conference play and was ranked as high as the No. 9 collegiate player in the nation.

The ITA National Awards will be announced on Friday, June 13.

Southeast Region ITA Coach of the Year | Lloyd Bruce-Burgess | University of Central Florida

Southeast Region ITA Assistant Coach of the Year | Sudanwa Sitaram | Florida State University

Southeast Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship | Alex Bulte | Florida State University

Southeast Region ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship | Youcef Rihane | Florida State University

Southeast Region ITA Most Improved Player | Corey Craig | Florida State University

Southeast Region ITA Player to Watch | Yassine Dlimi | University of Central Florida

Southeast Region ITA Rookie of the Year | Nicolas Oliveira | University of Central Florida

Southeast Region ITA Senior Player of the Year | Martin Katz | University of Miami (FL)

Southeast Region ITA Community Service Award | Florida Gulf Coast University

For more information on the Florida State men’s tennis program, check Seminoles.com and follow us on social media at Florida State Men’s Tennis (FB) and FSUMTennis (IG and X).