DeLand, Fla. — The ASUN Conference announced its preseason tennis honors on Tuesday afternoon, with Stetson men's tennis newcomer graduate Alexandre Verlaguet and women's tennis freshman Iulia Andreea Ionescu earning spots on the All-ASUN Preseason Team.
Verlaguet, a graduate transfer from Alabama State, made an immediate impression during the fall season in his first year with the Hatters. He became the first player in program history on the men's side to advance to the Round of 32 at the ITA All-American Championships, posting victories over opponents from SUNY, Washington, and Louisville. Throughout the fall, Verlaguet continued to build momentum, earning main draw singles and doubles wins at the ITA Southeast Regionals and competing across several events, including the UCF Invitational, UNF Fall Tournament, and Mad Hatters Fall Invitational.
A native of Sceaux, France, Verlaguet spent the previous three seasons at Alabama State, where he competed primarily at the No. 2 position and earned 2025 First Team All-SWAC honors. He brings a 12.34 UTR and a strong competitive background to Stetson as the program looks ahead to the spring season.
An incoming freshman for the spring semester, Iulia Andreea Ionescu joins the women's team from Bucharest, Romania, having demonstrated steady progress through her participation in international ITF tournaments. She has competed extensively in ITF professional tournaments, including W15 events in Otopeni, Bucharest, and Brașov, gaining valuable experience against strong international competition and consistently performing on clay courts.
Through her appearances on the ITF circuit, Ionescu has earned recognition on the professional level, reaching a career-high WTA singles ranking in the mid-1300s and a doubles ranking inside the top 800 at her peak. Her preseason selection reflects both her continued progression and the impact she is expected to make as she begins her collegiate career.
The Hatters enter the spring season with momentum on both sides, as Verlaguet and Ionescu headline Stetson's representation on the ASUN preseason honors list.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
