With a largely new roster, a second-year head coach, first-year assistant coach and new team captain, all the right pieces came together to give the Cyclones two championships and trip to nationals this season.
It has been quite a turnaround for the Cyclones, who finished fourth in the NJCAA Region IV and third place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference last year. The Cyclones are now champions of both. Aside from a first match loss, where two players were injured and unable to finish competing that day, the team was undefeated. They went 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference, largely dominating opponents, including four shutouts.
From the onset, the players worked hard and wanted to qualify for the national tournament in Texas. With each match, they grew more confident and determined. By season's end, the Cyclones were conference and region champions and headed to nationals in May. The last time the program earned a conference championship and trip to nationals was in 2015, and the last region crown was won in 2014.
"Of all the teams I've coached, I've never seen a group more hungry. They're the most competitive, driven team, hands down," said Head Coach Matt Marusarz, who was named Region IV and Skyway Coach of the Year.
Sophomore Hannah Markiewicz avenged her regional loss in 2021 and this season's match loss to Sauk Valley by becoming region champion at No. 3 singles. She also was the conference champ. "Respect to Hannah for bouncing back after that loss last year. She played hard against Sauk Valley," Marusarz said.
At No. 2 singles, Simona Tomczak was conference and region champion as was Aubree Schultz at No. 4, Reagan Cameron at No. 6, Schultz/Cate Gerl at No. 2 doubles and Tomczak/Erica Chapan at No. 3 doubles. Gerl earned a conference championship at No. 5. Izzy Slezakova worked hard at No. 1 singles and doubles but came up just short in the championship matches.
Schultz emerged as a team leader and was the first one and last one off on the court, Marusarz said. Cameron picked up a racquet for the first time this fall and won a championship. She also competes for the women's basketball team and has played on the women's soccer team. These two are on the basketball team this winter.
Although the entire roster shined, Tomczak was one of the toughest mental players Marusarz has coached. "She's always ready to go. At regionals, she ran with all the outside noise and played out of her mind," he said.
Marusarz competed for Oak Lawn High School and for the Cyclones in 2019 and 2020. He also coaches tennis at Oak Lawn. Although he was not the top player in college, he knew coaching was always a goal, and these results verified that.
"This was a huge confidence boost from last year to this. Having such success, especially in my second year as a college coach is a big motivator. It shows why we do this job and why I love it," Marusarz said. "Coaching tennis is always something I wanted to do. I wanted a championship and after that, I want to keep winning."
Marusarz also gives credit to his former Cyclones teammate and high school rival, Dave Souza, who was the women's assistant coach for the first time and is the men's tennis head coach.
The Cyclones have a few months to prepare for the national tournament and heal any injuries, but players are already asking for workouts.
"We had a lot of great matches this season, and I'm proud of all the players," Marusarz said. "They worked hard, and we had such a great turnaround. Now, we're working for nationals."