Athletics

Men’s tennis team wins national championship, women runners-up

The men’s tennis team captured the 2023 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Indoor National Championship in February, defeating host University of Indianapolis in the final 4-1. This marked the men’s tennis team’s first national championship and the second team national championship in Saint Leo history.

The women’s tennis team made runner-up after losing to Barry University in the finals, 4-0, at the ITA National Indoor Championships hosted by the University of Nebraska-Kearney. It was the women’s tennis team’s first trip to the national title match. The top eight teams in the country were invited to play in championships.

On the men’s team, Martin Soukal was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player while both Vincent Thiel and Luis Iriarte were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The men’s tennis team is led by head coach Chad Berryhill and assistant coach Matt Alexander. In addition to Soukal, Thiel, and Iriarte, those competing at the tournament were Ivan Marrero, Tao Castillo, Ghali Mensour, Nicolas Bacella, and Henrique Bertoli. The team also is comprised of Stijn de Lange, Loup Sudre, Federico Pieckenstainer, and Kodai Kato.

Berryhill also leads the women’s tennis team, along with assistant coach Maria Soler Valverde. Student-athletes who competed in the women’s championship include Marta Vicens Miquel, Lavinia Lancellotti, Luzia Obermeier, Celina Ermann, Kamilya Shailina, Camila Keller, Claudia Borbon Roca, and Jade Bellegy. Also part of the roster are Isabelle Niehoff and Paris Marozzelli.

Berryhill was named ITA Coach of the Year in the south region for the men’s team and as the 2023 Wilson ITA National Coach of the Year for the women’s team.

Saint Leo University focuses on developing the mind, body, and spirit of each student. The university boasts 14 intercollegiate teams involving 450 student-athletes, who compete in NCAA Division II. The Lions are members of the Sunshine State Conference and student-athletes consistently are named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll with GPAs of 3.2 and higher. Saint Leo Athletics focuses on individual growth and progress by offering opportunities for the development of leadership, skills, and talents in sports as well success in the classroom.

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