Elon University Men’s Tennis Dominates to Reach CAA Championship Game: A Journey to Glory

Elon University’s men’s tennis team put on an impressive performance in the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament semifinal against Monmouth University on April 26, winning 4-2. The Phoenix entered the match with a solid 8-2 record over their last ten games, earning them the No. 2 seed, a position first-year head coach Maciek Sykut credited as crucial for their success.

“Being the number two seed gave us a great advantage,” Sykut shared. “It set the tone for today’s match.”

The match kicked off with doubles, an area the team struggled with earlier this season, holding a 19-21 record. However, the No. 3 duo of freshman Charles Pilet and senior Juan Sengariz turned things around by quickly gaining a 3-1 lead. Their calm demeanor and consistent play stood out. “It was one of our best doubles showings,” Sykut noted.

Pilet and Sengariz secured a 6-2 victory, while their teammates faced tougher challenges. The top team of juniors Veljko Krstic and Oskar Antinheimo fought hard but found themselves struggling to break Monmouth’s serve, trailing 5-6. Meanwhile, the No. 2 pairing of freshman Rafael Ymer and sophomore Jack Curtis clawed back after falling behind to win 6-4, giving Elon a crucial doubles win.

“Winning that doubles match was key to our energy going into singles,” Curtis expressed. “We needed to keep that momentum.”

Entering singles play, Elon needed three victories to advance to the championship match. Pilet quickly got to work at No. 5 singles, capitalizing on an opponent’s mistakes to win the first set 6-3. “Charles is a player who can maintain a strong game for long periods,” Sykut explained, emphasizing his efficiency.

Pilet mixed in drop shots and powerful forehands to finish the second set 6-2. Krstic followed suit, battling through an early 0-3 deficit to clinch his match 6-1, 6-4. His aggressive style sent a clear message to both teams, as Sykut noted, “Their quick wins were vital.”

With Elon leading, pressure mounted on the other players. Unfortunately, Ymer lost his match, making the stakes higher for Antinheimo and Curtis. Antinheimo struggled in his first set, while Curtis found himself down 2-6 in his own. “It was tough losing that first set, but I focused on getting back to basics,” Curtis said.

His determination paid off, as he took the second set 6-4. By the third set, Curtis was playing his best tennis, ultimately winning 6-1 and securing Elon’s spot in the championship match. “Bouncing back felt incredible,” he commented. “I knew that winning would take us to the final.”

This 4-1 victory marked Sykut’s first appearance in the CAA Championship. “Our main goal is to compete for championships,” he said. “We’re excited but understand there’s more to be done.”

Elon will face the defending champions, the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, on April 27—a challenging matchup considering they’ve fallen to the Seahawks in the finals for the past three years. Winning would grant them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on May 15. Sykut believes success hinges on small adjustments. “If we focus on the details, we have a great shot,” he said.

As fans eagerly await the match at 2 p.m. at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center, one thing is clear: the momentum and spirit from this semifinal victory could be key in their push for the title.

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