Men’s Tennis Win Skyline And Make NCAA Tourney Again
by Frank Flandina '00
They may be a team without a home, but that hasn’t stopped coach Glenn Nathan from turning the men’s tennis program into one of the most successful teams on campus.
Despite playing home games on three different home courts, SJC won the Skyline title, which earned them a spot in a second consecutive NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. The Golden Eagles (13-4) defeated Farmingdale State to clinch their first Skyline Championship and the automatic NCAA bid. During the run, SJC went undefeated (9-0) in conference play.
The team then traveled to Amherst College in Massachusetts, where it fell to the College of New Jersey in an NCAA first round match. In 2008, Christopher Newport beat St. Joseph’s in its first tournament appearance.
First singles Dan Celentano and second singles Keith Houghtaling both made the 2009 All-Skyline team. Celentano, who was selected to the first team, made his third consecutive All-Skyline squad and Houghtaling’s second-team selection was his first.
Thanks to their comeback victory in doubles play during the Skyline Championship match, Kyle Barnett and John Funk were named Skyline Tournament co-MVPs.
It was truly a team effort this year as the Eagles received contributions from a variety of players, including Skyline Player of the Week winners Steve Asti, Nick Donadio and Justin Russo. Also contributing to the team were Andrew Boehm and Steve Mazzeo.