The Lions Men's Tennis team had an eagerly awaited comeback this season, marking their return to the courts after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team showcased immense resilience and determination, and the future looks incredibly promising for these talented athletes.
As the season progressed, the Lions demonstrated remarkable improvement, even though their overall record may not fully reflect the progress they made. Many of their individual and doubles matches were intense and fiercely competitive, often resulting in closely contested outcomes. The team's ability to continuously evolve and elevate their performance throughout the season was truly commendable.
However, it was during the NJCAA Region XV Tournament that the Lions reached their pinnacle. Head Coach Laura Gilbert had this to say:
"The team worked hard all season to prepare for the Division 15 Men's Tennis Regionals, and it showed in the way they played. We ended the season as runners-up in the division.
In doubles , our 3rd team of Nathan Cheong and Jude Dolan took top honors .Our 1st doubles , Aaron Samuelson and Ryan Talenti and 2nd doubles Chris Permiceo and John Sattia lost in the finals in hard fought matches.
In Singles we had four finalists, who played their best but came up a little short .They were Aaron Samuelson at 2nd , John Sattia at 4th ,Nathan Cheong at 5th ,and Jude Dolan at 6th . Ryan Talenti played 1st singles and lost to the very talented player from FIT, who went on to win the finals. Chris Permiceo also lost to a player from FIT in an epic battle that was lost in a third set tie breaker 7-5.Great effort by all, they made us proud and represented NCC admirably."
This achievement not only solidified their position among the top teams but also served as a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Looking ahead, the Lions have reason to be excited as they anticipate the upcoming season. With many of their skilled players set to return next year and their commitment to offseason training, Head Coach Laura Gilbert is confident the team is poised for substantial growth.
Congratulations are in order for the remarkable accomplishments of the 2023 Lions Men's Tennis team, as well as their dedicated coaching staff.
Go Lions!
