The NCC men’s tennis team is swinging their way to a historic season with high expectations headed into postseason play.
Spring breakout
Heading into Spring Break, the Cardinals men’s tennis team lost two games in a row against nationally ranked opponents. They fell to 25th ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and ninth ranked Washington University in St. Louis, both on the road.
Looking to steer the ship back in the right direction, the team went into their annual Spring Break trip looking to get back in the win column. Considering the bulk of their CCIW play followed the trip, the team knew what they needed to do.
Ramon Vilaroig Martinez, ‘24, one of the senior leaders on the Cardinal team, believes the Spring Break trip to Orlando primed the team for a dominant run in the CCIW.
“The bonds created over Spring Break allow us to become closer on and off the court. We better understand each other and increase our chemistry with one another to strengthen our team,” said Vilaroig Martinez. “We also play good competition in a short amount of time, so it sets us up both physically and mentally to push through some tough conference matches that are in the upcoming weeks.”
The team finished the trip with a perfect 4-0 record in Orlando. Many players stepped up to help the Cardinals emerge victorious. Vilaroig Martinez and Wyatt Crowell, ‘26, both went unbeaten in singles matches during the trip.
Much like last year, this trip set the Cardinals up for a successful home stretch of the season. As it progressed, those two games would be the last time the Cardinals lost during the regular season.
Reaching new heights
The Cardinal tennis team is currently having a program best season. Their national rank is as high as it has ever been. As of the April 17 edition of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, the team is ranked 23rd nationally and seventh in the Central Region.
Vilaroig Martinez understands the amount of work it took as a program to achieve such an honor.
“It’s super exciting to be recognized as one of the best teams in the region, let alone the nation. Over the years, the program has grown so much. We didn’t believe that we could achieve this ranking,” said Vilaroig Martinez. “A couple years ago, beating a 40th ranked team was impressive for us. Everyday we’ve been pushing each other to be the best we possibly can, and being ranked among the best shows what we can accomplish as a team.”
The hard work and dedication paid off for the Cardinals. They claimed the CCIW regular season title with an undefeated record in conference play. This marks the second time in program history that the team has earned this title.
Postseason potential
The Cardinals aim to make a statement in the conference tournament and become CCIW champions. After last season’s loss to Carthage College in the finals of the tournament, the team wants to take care of business this year.
If the team wins the CCIW tournament, they will earn an automatic qualification into the Division III men’s tennis tournament. A lot is at stake for the Cardinal team as the season winds down. The taste of winning and riding to a program’s best season should provide enough gas in the tank to allow this team to make a run in the postseason.
The CCIW tournament, hosted by Carroll University, begins May 2 and wraps on May 4. The NCAA Division III tennis championship begins May 10 in St. Louis, Mo.
