TICKET PUNCHED! STAC Men's Tennis Earns First-Ever Trip to NCAA Finals with Thrilling 4-3 Victory over Jefferson

Posted: May 10, 2025

Philadelphia, Pa. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Tennis team punched its ticket to Florida and the program's first-ever NCAA Division II Championship Finals on Saturday, courtesy of a thrilling 4-3 victory over Jefferson University in the East Regional Tournament held at the Legacy Youth Tennis and Education Center in the City of Brotherly Love.

The win moves the Spartans to 17-6 on the season, and is the team's seventh triumph in their last ten matches. Meanwhile, the Rams close their 2024-2025 campaign at 10-8.

STAC now awaits the seedings for the upcoming NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Finals, which will take place May 20-24 in Altmonte Springs, Florida at Sanlando Park. Rollins College and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission will serve as hosts.

Doubles victories by the maroon and gold at the number three (Ondrej Sramek & Erik Victor Tauson 6-4 over Jules Thibault & Antonio Mateos Melenchon) and number one (Seth Newman & Henry Ronnberg 7-5 over Mario Antonio & Filip Slavkovic) positions gave St. Thomas Aquinas the first team point of the day.

No. 5 Ondrej Sramek would then open singles with a 6-2, 6-2 win against Johary Rabetrano to make it 2-0 in favor of the second-seeded Spartans from Sparkill. However, Jefferson would get themselves on the board, as No. 2 Anthony Moukarzel defeated Lorenzo Meschini 6-3, 7-6 (5) to make it 2-1. STAC would answer to put the Rams on the brink of elimination at 3-1, with No. 6 Henry Ronnberg besting Antonio Mateos Melenchon (JEFF) 6-4, 6-4. Unfortunately, Jefferson would not go quietly into their summer hiatus, taking the next two matches at the No. 1 - Mario Antonio downing Seth Newman 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (3) and No. 3 spots - Enrigue Soto Ballester beating Erik Victor Tauson 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 to even things at 3-3.

It would all come down to one final bout, as No. 4 Don Vinz Lominoque and Jules Thibault squared off for the right to send their team to Florida and the NCAA Championship Finals. Back and forth throughout, Lominoque was finally able to close things out with a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) triumph, with the Spartans storming the court in celebration of a goal and a dream finally reached.

STAC 4/JEFFERSON 3 - OFFICIAL RESULTS

DOUBLES

1. Seth Newman & Henry Ronnberg (STAC) def. Mario Antonio & Filip Slavkovic (JEFF), 7-5

2. Enrique Soto Ballester & Anthony Moukarzel (JEFF) vs. Don Vinz Lominoque & Nagamitsu Kuroda (STAC), 6-5 (UNFINISHED)

3. Ondrej Sramek & Erik Victor Tauson (STAC) def. Jules Thibault & Antonio Mateos Melenchon (JEFF), 6-4

Order of Finish: 3, 1*

SINGLES

1. Mario Antonio (JEFF) def. Seth Newman (STAC) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (3)

2. Anthony Moukarzel (JEFF) def. Lorenzo Meschini (STAC) 6-3, 7-6 (5)

3. Enrigue Soto Ballester (JEFF) def. Erik Victor Tauson (STAC) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4

4. Don Vinz Lominoque (STAC) def. Jules Thibault (JEFF) 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4)

5. Ondrej Sramek (STAC) def. Johary Rabetrano (JEFF) 6-2, 6-2

6. Henry Ronnberg (STAC) def. Antonio Mateos Melenchon (JEFF) 6-4, 6-4

Order of Finish: 5, 2, 6, 1, 3, 4*

#3 Jefferson Record: 10-8, 3-0 CACC

#2 STAC Record: 17-6, 4-2 ECC

THE ROCKHILL REPORT

"I guess this is the biggest win in STAC tennis history and we had to work hard for it," stated Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "We knew how good Jefferson was and I am not at all surprised that this match was decided by just a few points. It is truly amazing how far our doubles play has come. We don't back up and stick to what works. The bottom half of the lineup delivered the win today and I am proud of Vinz who was able to make mostly good decisions and make the easy plays when the match was on the line."

"We do not intend to lay down for anyone and are looking forward to a matchup with one of the top teams in the country while in Orlando," said Rockhill. The team has had to navigate a lot of difficult situations this season and has built some toughness along the way.

"This has been the most difficult coaching year in my career," commented Rockhill. "I always adhere to the mission but our staff had to tweak the message some this year. I am thankful to the players who tolerated me and did what was necessary."

UP NEXT

STAC begins preparations for the NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Championship Finals and will receive word of their opponent early next week.