The Pratt Community College Men's Tennis Team just got back from competing at the National Tournament in Florence, SC. This was the fourth year in a row that the team has traveled to the national tournament. The first year, after the program was revived, the team finished 10th in the country. They followed that up with a 9th place finish the year after. Last year, the team finished 7th. This was the best year yet, as the team was able to finish in 4th place!  

The Singles action was very successful, with all 6 of our players reaching the Quarterfinals. This included 2 national Champions! 

At #3 singles, Kenneth Rabinad Vila won a national championship! Kenneth was a mid-year addition to the team. He arrived in January and immediately established himself in the lineup. At the tournament, he won all his singles matches, other than the final, in straight sets. In the final, he defeated Abubakari Yakubu-Lea of Seward County Community College.  

Kenta Kawada, the #4 singles player for the Beavers was the second individual national champion! Kenta is a quiet, but fierce competitor. He won all but one of his singles matches in straight sets. The only 3-set match he played was against 1st seeded Doni Gashi of Tyler Junior College.  

Kenneth and Kenta played in the #2 doubles bracket together and were able to make a semifinal. The two of them were defeated by Collin College, who took 2nd.  

 At #1 singles, Alexi Khamrotau upset the 7th seed, Gian Rodriguez in the second round before falling to the top overall seed in a 3-set thriller. Daniel Blinov, the team's #2 singles player had an easy first match, followed by a bye because of another player pulling out of the tournament. Alexander Edley, the 2nd seed at #2 singles defeated him 7-5, 7-5. Alexi and Daniel played #1 doubles and lost in the second round against Barton County Community College. Thio Tshivhase played #5 singles. He won two matches before falling to the eventual national champion from Tyler Junior College, Daniel Maurico Marincas. Sixto Golobart exited the tournament during his match against Eastern Florida State College. Sixto and Thio were entered together at the #3 doubles spot. Their tournament was cut short in the second round.  

This was a great tournament overall for the team and will serve as a great building block for the team as they attempt to continue their yearly improvement next season.