CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The longest running tournament in the country will be hosted this weekend in Corpus Christi as the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's tennis team welcomes New Mexico State, UT-Arlington, and Louisiana in the 61
st annual H-E-B Tournament of Champions Friday through Sunday.
The Islanders (8-0) will face Louisiana (4-5) Sunday at 10 a.m. currently planned to be played at the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center. Due to weather conditions, Friday's match between New Mexico State and UT-Arlington will be played at 5 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club as will Saturday's matchup between the Aggies and Louisiana at 8 a.m.
The H-E-B Tournament of Champions is the longest running college team tournament in the country, spanning 61 years. This year, the Islanders will enter their home event with an undefeated 8-0 record and recently ranked #80 in the ITA Rankings, breaking into the top 30% of Division I tennis programs.
"The H-E-B Tournament of Champions is one of the grand events in the history of the Corpus Christi community! It is the longest running college team tournament in America at 61 years! It was started by beloved Corpus Christi philanthropist Howard E. Butt himself in 1964 to bring college tennis, his passion, to Corpus Christi! H-E-B has been the title sponsor of this event for 61 consecutive years, and I cannot emphasize enough the generosity and commitment to the Corpus Christi community from them! This tournament has brought so many memories and excitement for so many kids in the community! Islanders Athletics began running this prestigious event in 2006 and it's been a treasure for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. We are honored and beyond words to once again bring the H-E-B Tournament of Champions to Corpus Christi! Go Islanders, go H-E-B!" said head coach
Steve Moore.
Sophomores
Nicholas Niox Chateau and
Omar Suarez both reign undefeated in singles play, tying for team-lead with 5-0 records. They've both done so in sweeping fashion as neither of them have yet to drop a set this year.
Sophomore
Nicolas Trebuchet has matched that tone, posting the 4-0 singles record without conceding a set. The three of them were vital in the 4-3 decision over UTRGV last week to remain unbeaten as a team this season.
In doubles play, Suarez has also stood out with partner
Maxime Salesses as the two are 5-0 between play at all courts. The duo of
Matthieu Coignet and
Josef Zapletal, however, hoist a team-high six wins in doubles including a perfect 3-0 record at No. 2 doubles.
A&M-Corpus Christi has gone 28-2 in singles matches for the unblemished season record. The undefeated Islanders are pitted against the Ragin' Cajuns this weekend, going for their first win over Louisiana since the 2021 season.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 21
New Mexico State vs. UT-Arlington // 5 p.m.
Saturday, February 22
New Mexico State vs. Louisiana // 8 a.m.
Sunday, February 23
A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Louisiana // 10 a.m.
A&M-Corpus Christi Tennis
- 17 NCAA Tournaments
- 35 SLC Championships
- 4 Top-40 National Rankings
- 3.0 GPA 43 Straight Semesters
- Islanders have received a No. 3 seed at the NCAA Tournament three times
- Women's tennis has cracked the ITA top-75 national rankings three times
- Men's tennis has cracked the ITA national rankings 10 consecutive years
- Ranked nationally in NCAA DI as high as No. 35 for the men and No. 60 for the women
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