Collin College finished fifth at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's Tennis Championships last week, missing a fourth-place finish by one point. 

The team won eight singles matches and five doubles matches in the tournament, with Djordje Kurcubic, Gianni Lopez, and David Restrepo battling into the semifinal round on day four. Kurcubic and Lopez each played singles matches in the round, while Lopez and Restrepo provided the best finish by a Collin doubles team this year. 

Coach Jamie Nanez said getting to day four was a goal for Collin this year. 

"We did not do that last year, so to have three points available to us on day four was huge," Nanez said. "Unfortunately, we didn't convert those.  

"However, with the level of players competing on day four, that is a tall order. So, I felt good about how our team played."

Overall, Nanez said the tournament went how he thought it would. Still, a rough day three set the team back despite valiant play by Tristan Vigneron against Eastern Florida and Luis Ching against Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The two players were doubles partners against Eastern Florida, as well.  

"We were sitting in a position to achieve our goals. We just couldn't convert when we needed it," Nanez said. "The teams that finished ahead of us were just a bit better at converting chances. That is something we will work on with the returners and hopefully use this as a learning experience." 

Nanez said he was pleased with the work the team put in this season.  

"I was really happy to see that physically, we were ready," he said. "I think if you asked our players, they would tell you they were all ready to play again the next day. 

"That was a focus for us, to play as physical as possible and see where we end up. Overall, it was a great season!"