Collin College Men's Tennis took fourth place at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament. The fourth-place finish is an improvement on its performance at last year's tournament, but Coach Jamie Nanez sees even better things in the team's future.
Collin players swept their matches in the first two days of play, and all earned their way into quarterfinal matches, with Luke Stula Takumi winning his way into a semifinal match in Flight 5. Takumi and Enrique Doldan Sisa also worked their way into a semifinal match in Flight 3 doubles.
"The whole team did really well," Nanez said. "They all did what we asked them to do – to compete hard and support each other."
Nanez said he was particularly proud of how the team supported each other during matches.
"In tennis, that is a big deal," Nanez said. "So much of their careers are playing just for themselves, and creating that team atmosphere can be tough. I told them in our exit meeting that I feel like we have a lot of good things in our foundation – our core, our culture – and team support is one of them."
Nanez said he saw sparks of greatness during the tournament and looks forward to improving next year with a more experienced team and more fitness training.
"I think that with a little bit more work and preparation, we may have been able to capitalize on some of the chances we had," Nanez said.
He said he will have a core group of players returning, including Minjae Kim, Jose Castillo, Cristobal Tellez, Sisa, and Takumi. He added the team will also add a couple of local players.
"I am excited for next year and the recruits coming in," he said. "I am also excited for some of the players who didn't play in the lineup this year who have a chance next year to go out and compete."
Check out photos of the tennis action here.
Click here for full results from the tournament.
Jose Castillo
May 13 – won 6-0, 6-2
May 14 – won 6-4, 6-0 (Round of 16)
May 15 – lost 6-4, 2-6, 2-6 (Quarterfinals)
Guy Dagan
May 13 – won 6-2, 6-1
May 14 – won 6-2, 6-4 (Round of 16)
May 15 – lost 1-6, 1-6 (Quarterfinals)
Enrique Doldan Sisa
May 14 – won 6-0, 6-0
May 15 – won 6-1, 6-0 (Round of 16)
May 16 – lost 0-6, 6-4, 01 (Quarterfinals)
Minjae Kim
May 13 – won 6-1, 6-1
May 14 – won 6-0, 6-0 (Round of 16)
May 15 – lost 6-1, 2-6, 3-6 (Quarterfinals)
Seth Seely
May 13 – won 6-4, 6-1
May 14 – won 6-1, 6-1 (Round of 16)
May 15 – lost 6-7, 4-6 (Quarterfinals)
Luke Stula Takumi
May 13 – won 6-1, 6-0
May 14 – won 6-0, 6-0 (Round of 16)
May 15 – won 6-4, 6-4 (Quarterfinals)
May 16 – lost 0-6, 2-6 (Semifinals)
Castillo/Kim
May 14 – won 6-2, 6-4
May 15 – lost 6-3, 3-6, 4-6
Dagan/Seely
May 13 – won 7-5, 6-3
May 14 – won 6-2,6-4 (Round of 16)
May 15 – lost 7-6, 4-6, 2-6 (Quarterfinals)
Sisa/Takumi
May 14 – won 6-0, 6-1 (Round of 16)
May 15 – won 6-2,6-0 (Quarterfinals)
May 16 – lost 3-6, 4-6 (Semifinals)