The University of the Cumberlands men and women concluded their tennis season with a vast improvement from last year. The University of the Cumberlands men’s tennis team finished second in the MSC and twenty-third in the NAIA final rating report. The Patriots began the season unranked and worked hard to make it into the nation’s top twenty-five. The Patriot ladies finished the season in the top four of the MSC.

The men’s tennis team made it to the finals of the Mid-South Conference by beating rival Campbellsville University in the semi-finals. After placing second to Lindsey Wilson College in the MSC, the Patriots traveled to Nashville, TN to compete in the Region XI Tournament. They defeated Campbellsville University once again. However, they were stopped in the next round by Freed-Hardeman University.

The Patriots had a very impressive season. Each of the starters improved the University's overall record this season. Leos Vanzura (Czech Republic) competed as a first singles and doubles player. Vanzura’s overall singles record was 7-11 while his doubles record was 10-9. Graduating senior Wai Kin Khoong (Malaysia) finished 11-10 at second singles and 13-9 at first doubles. Fellow senior Alejandro Beiderman (Argentina) at third singles and second doubles was 8-8 and 11-11 respectively. Ignacio Guerrero (Colombia) was 10-5 at fourth singles and 11-11 in doubles action. Mitchel Hubert (Hendersonville, TN) finished his season 11-7 in singles and 14-5 in doubles while teammate Aaron Leftwich (Corbin, KY) competed as the sixth singles player and finished his season 8-7, and 14-5 in doubles.

The Patriot ladies began the season with only four players. Veronica Sizemore (Manchester, KY) competed as a first singles and doubles player. Nickie Dugger (Corbin, KY) played second singles and paired with Sizemore in doubles action. Playing third singles and second doubles was Ashley Shepherd (Shelby, OH). Christy Phelps (Fulton, KY) was the University's fourth singles player and also played second doubles. With only four players, the Patriot ladies struggled through matches and tournaments. Coach Tan recruited two more ladies to complete the team. Tenille Cann (Australia) and Keysha Dugger (Corbin, KY) both played fifth and sixth singles and often paired up as a third doubles team.

Cumberlands had several players which received All-Conference Honors. Wai Kin Khoong and Leos Vanzura received All-Conference Singles honors. Ignacio Guerrero and Alejandro Beiderman earned All-Conference Honorable Mention Singles. Duo Khoong and Vanzura were named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention Doubles. Beiderman received Academic All-Conference honors. Patriot lady Veronica Sizemore received honors in All-Conference Singles and All-Conference Honorable Mention Doubles along with her partner Nickie Dugger.

The University of the Cumberlands tennis will only be losing two seniors this year. Wai Kin Khoong and Alejandro Beiderman will be graduated in May. The Patriots will look to their rising seniors and a host of underclassmen to lead them down the road to success next season.