After completing another winning season on the courts, Cyclone men's tennis is sending four players to the national championship after the team finished third at the NJCAA Region IV tournament.
The Cyclones' results may look identical to last year's but don't match the depth of this group. Playing on their home courts for regionals, April 26-27, the Cyclones had the advantage. Rain and snow pushed competition indoors on Saturday but still saw a strong fight with the Cyclones taking home 11 points overall and a trip to the NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship, May 13-17, in Tucson, Arizona.
Some unfortunate draws saw different opposition at a few spots, but the top three singles players each finished runner-up to a tough Prairie State College crew. Nick Karczynski at No. 1 lost 6-1, 6-2 in the final championship. Alex Kokoszka (No. 2) took a 6-0, 6-1 loss while Seth Yaeger (No. 3) battled through a 6-0, 6-3 final. Yaeger and David Souza took second at No. 2 doubles, falling 6-4, 6-1. Those four are headed to the Big Dance.
Tim Flynn (No. 5) as well as No. 1 pair Karczynski and Kokoszka finished third overall. Souza (No. 4) and Mateusz Marusarz (No. 6) fought through a tough first round but ended their season there.
The Cyclones culminated their regular season with a 9-1 record, losing only to Prairie State, and third place at regionals. Although it looks like the same results as last year — one loss and third place in regionals — this year's crew was eight-players deep with its top two players back in action, and this time they are competing at nationals.
"We're definitely a better team this year with eight deep, and all eight contributed. I can't complain about a 9-1 record and trip to nationals. They deserved it," said Head Coach Steve Yates. "We had a successful season and are looking forward to competing at nationals."