Both the FDU men’s and women’s tennis teams had stellar regular seasons but their work has just begun.

The NEC Championships take place from April 18-20 in West Windsor N.J.

“Our teams are looking forward to playing in the NEC tournament,” head coach Jeff Brandes said. “Both are peaking at the right time and will battle and give maximum effort.  As long as we continue to play the right way and give it our all out there on the court we like our chances.  It will be a great experience for our players.”

The women’s tennis team finished the year 12-8, with a 5-1 conference record. The women’s team finished second in the NEC.

The team was led by junior Patricia Eftenoui who was third in the conference with a 16-7 singles record. She is heading into the conference tournament on a streak of six consecutive match wins.

The team finished with a 56 percent overall winning percentage, and this bodes well as the team heads into their most crucial stretch of the season.

“Everyone has stepped up at one time or another throughout the season on both the men’s and the women’s squads,” Brandes said.  “It has been a team effort all season long.”

The men’s team finished their regular season 8-12, 3-2 in conference play. This record allowed the Knights to finish second in the Northeast Conference as well.

Sophomore Eduardo Cardabal was the standout player for the Knights in conference play as he finished 4-2, which was the second-best winning percentage.

The team finished with an overall 45 percent winning percentage across all of their matches this season.

As the season has progressed, we have steadily gotten better at handling the many challenges that all college tennis matches have,” Brandes said. “This was not always a strength but it surely is now.”

Aleksandra Vorozheikina

Photo by Anthony Covino

]]>