CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi tennis program extended what is arguably one of the greatest feats in Southland Conference history by winning a championship in each of the last 17 seasons.
The Islanders added to their legacy of sustained historic success as the men surged through the Southland Conference Tournament to claim the title and secure a berth in the prestigious NCAA Championships.
With the victory, Islanders Tennis has now captured at least one Conference Championship in each of the last 17 seasons, continuing one of the most consistent stretches of excellence in Southland Conference history. The men went on to face No. 2 seeded Texas in the NCAA First Round.
Islanders Tennis has now advanced to the NCAA Championships 18 times, further solidifying its place as one of the premier mid-major tennis programs in the nation.
Islander men's and women's tennis hold the all-time Southland Conference records in Regular Season Titles, Conference Tournament Championships, and NCAA Tournament appearances, a testament to the foundation built over years and culture under the guidance of head coach
Steve Moore.
Moore has led the Islanders to 36 Conference Championships and 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, the most by any head coach at a single institution in Southland Conference history across all sports.
The program's success has long been rooted in their special culture of family, character, accountability, and discipline as the pillars of Islanders Tennis success.
The players consistently brag with pride about competing for the Islanders under Coach Moore and speak of the family culture and the way it has set them up for success in life.
"Our culture was so special and different. It was the greatest four years of my life, and the coaches were such great leaders who taught you the values for success in the real world. They have impacted my life in the most special way and that's why I wanted to stay and coach because this culture has just been so good for me. Coach Steve and Coach Olga honestly pour their entire lives into the players and treat us like family."
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Emma Aucagne, '24
"Playing for the Islanders was one of the best experiences of my life and these coaches had the greatest impact on me. The team values of family, toughness, and hard work prepared me so well for the job world. The players and coaches were so close and encouraged each other every day. We learned the life values of being selfless, never giving up, having grit, and being a unified family on a journey."
- Celia Rodriguez-Maingot, '16
Perhaps the greatest Islander player ever, Peter Nagy ('17), who reached top 400 ATP and twice clinched the Davis Cup for his native country of Hungary, said it best:
"I got these results with dedication, sacrifice, hard work, and great coaching. I learned to compete like a gladiator on good days and bad days. All these values I learned from my four years as an Islander from these great coaches. Islander family always, islander fight always!"
The Islanders Tennis culture has produced championships for the past 20 years but also something far more important in the players' lives.
"It's all about really loving your players by treating them like family and teaching them the truth of what it takes to be a champion on the court but most importantly a champion for life in their families, jobs, and communities. This is the greatest gift a student athlete can ever receive. To know the values of family, building others up, character, hard work and accountability are the keys to success in life. The world's definition of wealth is material things, but God's definition of wealth is relationships. The strong family relationships between Islanders players and coaches long after college is our greatest accomplishment. That is the greatest trophy of Islanders Tennis." said Moore.
A&M-Corpus Christi Tennis
- 18 NCAA Tournaments
- 38 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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