Tyler battles to win back-to-back DI national titles
The 2019 NJCAA DI Men's Tennis Championship was a tale of two dominant programs - Tyler (TX) and ASA Miami (FL). The two teams were dead-even throughout the five-day tournament. Entering the championship doubles flights still tied, Tyler prevailed to hoist the 2019 NJCAA DI Men's Tennis Championship trophy. The Apaches finished the tournament in Tucson with a total of 49 team points, followed closely by ASA Miami with 48.
Tyler brought a wealth of experience to Tuscon. The Apaches' squad was led by five sophomores, who were members of the 2018 national championship team.
Marcus Walters (left) took home the No. 1 singles title for Tyler, defending his top flight title from a year ago. Walters was also a part of the Apaches' No. 1 doubles championship pair, teaming up with fellow sophomore Alex Parker, to take the match 6-3, 7-5.
Though ASA Miami fell just one point short of capturing their third NJCAA DI Men's Tennis title since 2016, the Silver Storm proved once again to be dominant at the national tournament.
Tyler and ASA Miami were tied, leading the pack throughout the entire competition until Tyler pulled ahead during the championship doubles flights. ASA Miami claimed the No. 5 and 6 singles titles, along with the No. 3 doubles title.
Just one year removed from winning the No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles titles, Tyler's Alex Parker (left) followed up his freshman success in Tuscon. In a hard-fought match, Parker claimed the No. 3 singles title by scores of 3-6, 7-6, 7-6.
The Apaches' two other singles titles came from sophomores Luke Simkiss and Karl Mosterd. Simkiss won the No. 2 singles, while Mosterd took home the No. 4 singles with each match being played to three sets.
Seward County placed third at the national tournament for the second consecutive year. The Saints accumulated 33 total team points throughout the five-day competition.
Alex Mesquida Berg, Seward County freshman, was the lone non-ASA Miami or Tyler player competing in the singles championship flights. Berg took home runner-up at No. 6. singles, falling to ASA Miami's Tomas Santantonio in two sets.
