FERRUM, Va. -- Conference Carolinas has announced Players of the Week and Ferrum College freshman Brian Karenzi has been named Men's Tennis Player of the Week. Karenzi went 3-0 in singles last, highlighted by a pair of substantial wins, and was 2-1 in doubles.

Playing in the #5 singles spot, Karenzi beat Gary Huang 6-3, 6-3 of NCAA Division I Longwood University February 25 in Farmville, Virginia, in the Panthers' 6-1 loss to the Lancers. Then in a 6-1 win over Columbia College February 28 in Columbia, South Carolina, he took care of business in beating Gabriel Kian 6-3, 6-2 in singles, then pairing with Sebastian Ondas to beat Len Spanier and Torben Paaas 6-0 at #2 doubles. 

Karenzi wrapped up the week with a spectacular three-set win over Averett University's Alex Rudy March 1 in Danville, Virginia. He opened with a 7-5 win in the first set, but dropped the second set 6-2. The team score was tied 3-3 as the two players continued into the third set, which went to 6-6 and a tiebreaker was needed.

Karenzi dug deep and came out with a thrilling 7-5 win in the tiebreaker to win the set, match and lift his team to a 4-3 team victory. It was Ferrum's first ever team win over Averett since the series began 40+ years ago. Earlier in the match, Karenzi and Ondas beat Averett's Sam Egui and Rafael Jodas 6-1 at #2 doubles. Averett is the defending the Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion, represented the ODAC in the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championships.

Longwood def. Ferrum 6-1, 2/25/25, Farmville, Va.
#5 singles: Brian Karenzi (FCM) def. HUANG,Gary (LU) 6-3, 6-3
#2 doubles: MRDAK,Marko/PLANE,Rufus (LU) def. Sebastian Ondas/Brian Karenzi (FCM) 6-1

Ferrum def. Columbia 6-1, 2/28/26, Columbia, S.C.
#5 singles: Brian Karenzi (FCM) def. Gabriel Kian (COL) 6-3, 6-2
#2 doubles: Sebastian Ondas/Brian Karenzi (FCM) def. Len Spanier/Torben Paas (COL) 6-0

Ferrum def. Averett 4-3, 3/1/26 at Danville, Va.
#5 singles: Brian Karenzi (FCM) def. Alex Rudy AUM) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5)
#2 doubles: Sebastian Ondas/Brian Karenzi (FCM) def. Sam Egui/Rafael Jodas (AUM) 6-1

Ferrum is back in action Thursday, March 5, at home against Southern Virginia University. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Burrows Tennis Courts.