MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Mulerider Tennis Head Coach Greg Owen has announced the hiring of Aleksa Bucan as an assistant coach for their upcoming campaign. Bucan, a native of Belgrade, Serbia comes to Magnolia after finishing his collegiate playing career at the University of Arkansas and most recently the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
 
"I'm super excited to have Coach Bucan joining the staff," remarked Head Coach Greg Owen. "He has great knowledge of the game and great energy. He will make an immediate impact on both of our programs!"
 
Bucan had a successful stint at UIC, earning Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors in 2023 as well as being named to the Southland's All-Conference First Team. In his final campaign with the Flames, Bucan competed in 19 matches at lines one, two, and three single positions and lines two and three in doubles. He held a 12-7 singles record alongside a 12-5 doubles record while leading the Flames in doubles victories and having the second-most victories on the singles side.
 
"Proud to join Southern Arkansas University as the assistant tennis coach," stated Bucan. "I'm excited at the opportunity to help build champions on and off the court. I'd like to thank Coach Greg Owen and the administration for this opportunity."
 
In addition to playing at UIC, Bucan has spent the last year as the tennis pro at Midtown Tennis in Chicago, Illinois. In his junior season with the Flames, Bucan was ranked preseason 69th by the ITA for singles and finished conference play undefeated, earning himself a spot on the Southland's All-Conference awards.
 
Prior to UIC, Bucan spent time in Fayetteville, Arkansas, playing for the Razorbacks, where he spent three years (2019-22). During his time in Fayetteville, Bucan was ranked as high as 27th in the singles rankings and ranked fourth regionally at the end of his junior season. He finished his 2021-22 season with a record of 20-11 overall in singles with six of those wins coming against SEC opponents. He was also named the SEC Newcomer of the Week during the 2020-21 season after clinching Arkansas' upset over No. 3 Tennessee.
 
During his time in high school, Bucan was the U18 national champion with TC. Palmengarten in 2017. He was also named the National Champion in 2013-18 with TK Crvena Zvezda and ranked number one in Serbia at the U14, U16, and U18 level.