The Abilene Christian men's tennis team has a lot to celebrate. Not only did the Wildcats win the Western Athletic Conference championship, but they also lead the WAC with five players named to the All-Tournament Team.
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2025 WAC Men's Tennis All-Tournament Team
ACU beat UT Arlington in the semifinal on Friday, 4-1, and then took down top-seed Grand Canyon in the championship on Saturday, 4-2.
"It was a complete effort," head coach Juan Nunez said. "The guys took pride in every spot. Everybody has a role in our program, and the guys took pride in whatever that role was for the tournament."
CHAMPS! ACU wins WAC Tournament for second time in four years
Playing at No. 1 singles and doubles, Morozov rallied from a set down to win his semifinal singles match, and earned victories in both doubles and singles in the final.
"From the moment we recruited him we knew he was a special player," said Nunez. "For him to end his career like he did, it was perfect."
Morozov's fellow senior teammate
Benjamin McDonald earned singles wins at the No. 6 line in both matches. In the championship he came back after losing the first set to dominate the next two, 6-1, 6-2.
Doubles partners
Ethan Scribner and
Alejandro Verdasco saved five match points against Grand Canyon and rallied to win 7-6 on a 7-1 tiebreaker that ultimately gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the dual. But, ACU lost the first set in 5 of the 6 singles matches -- needing comebacks by McDonald and
Tomas Tischner to win.
"The way the team responded to the challenge was incredible to see," said Nunez.
On both days it was Tischner, a freshman from Argentina, who provided the match-clinching point in a third set at No. 5 singles.
ACU's tournament run began against the back-to-back defending champions -- UT Arlington. The Wildcats faced the Mavericks twice during the regular season with UTA winning both times (5-1 on Feb. 27; 4-3 on April 3).
"I wanted them to get over that, almost mental block with UT Arlington," said Nunez. :When the moments matter there was a little doubt that crept in. The second time we played them we got past that. The guys realized there was no reason to have any doubt we could do it."
ACU then had to face Grand Canyon -- the same team that eliminated the Cats from the WAC Tournament in 2024.
"This team never stops fighting. For us, it is about continuing to be who we are."
The 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship Selection Show will go live on NCAA.com on Monday, April 28 at 4:30 p.m. A watch party will be held at the Moody Coliseum Club Level (access via elevator or stairs in south lobby). Make plans to join the team as they find out who, where and when they play in the first round of the NCAA tournament!
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