The College of Lake County Men's Tennis team proudly represented the program on the national stage this past week, competing in the NJCAA National Tournament in Florence, South Carolina. After a long season of preparation and hard-fought regional play, the Lancers battled against some of the top two-year college programs in the country.
Facing intense heat, humidity, and strong opponents, the team showed determination and resilience throughout the tournament. Each player stepped onto the court with pride, embracing the challenge of high-level competition and the unique experience that Nationals provides.
Highlights included a thrilling three-set doubles win by the #2 team of Seth Lampkin and Pablo Galan under the lights—one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. The Lancers also saw strong performances and determined efforts from Dwayne Daarol, Evan Bernales, Mark Hornung, and Vinny Marino, who each competed fiercely in their respective singles and doubles flights.
While the scoreboard didn't always reflect the effort, the experience proved invaluable. The team gained not only national exposure but also motivation and belief in their ability to compete at the highest level. This trip marked a major step forward in the growth of the men's tennis program at CLC.
Head Coach Betsy Poggensee expressed pride in the team's commitment, noting, "This group handled adversity, competed with heart, and represented our college with class. Competing at Nationals is an incredible achievement, and we're proud of how far this team has come."
The Lancers return home with heads held high, eager to build on this experience and return even stronger in seasons to come.