2012-13 Stories of the Year (No. 5): Men's Tennis continues NAC dominance
MEQUON, Wis. – There were many great and inspiring athletic achievements throughout the 2012-13 athletic year at Concordia University Wisconsin. The list of top stories could have gone on and on, but only six were chosen (honorable mention and top five).
The list was compiled by the CUW Athletic Communications Department and a committee of coaches, and like all lists it is subject to debate. The list of stories will be revealed over the next six weeks with a story being released each Tuesday.
No. 5
Men's Tennis continues NAC dominance
For the third-straight season, the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Tennis team rolled through its Northern Athletics Conference schedule en route to a third-consecutive NAC Championship.
The Falcons had little trouble advancing to its third NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championship in a row and fourth in the last five years, going 9-0 in the NAC regular season and winning the NAC Tournament on May 4 with a 5-0 win over MSOE. By winning all nine of its conference regular season matches, CUW extended its NAC regular season winning streak to 27 matches, having not lost since May 1, 2010.
What is most impressive was the way the Falcons dominated in 2013. CUW posted a 51-3 record in singles matches during the NAC regular season, winning all six singles matches in six of their nine duals this season. The Falcons also went 20-7 doubles play throughout conference play.
With their impressive performances throughout the season, CUW had four players earn All-NAC recognition led by conference player of the year, junior Russell Johnson (Monticello, Minn.). Joining Johnson on the All-NAC Singles Team was senior Taylor Shaffer (Stoughton, Wis.) and junior Skip Turner (Eau Claire, Wis.).
The Falcons also had a pair of doubles teams earn All-NAC Doubles honors as Johnson and partner Terry Jones (Maywood, Ill.) and the duo of Shaffer and Turner received that recognition. Head coach Tom Weber was also named the NAC Coach of the Year, the fourth time he has won the honor in the seven-year history of the league.
Overall, CUW finished the 2013 campaign with a 16-10 record. They took on Ohio Northern University in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 5-0. The Falcons should continue to be a force in the NAC next season as this year's team had just one senior and will look to continue their 27-match win streak in conference play.
2012-13 Stories of the Year