SENIOR SPOTLIGHT SERIES: Men’s Tennis Class of 2020
The Eastern Nazarene College men's tennis Class of 2020 will depart as the most successful group of seniors in program history. The Class of 2020 guided the Lions to 54 wins since arriving on campus.
In 2019, Eastern Nazarene clinched the program's first-ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship and made the program's NCAA Tournament debut. The Lions defeated Yeshiva in the NCAA Tournament first round to post the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.
The Class of 2020 also powered Eastern Nazarene to back-to-back Commonwealth Coast Conference championship match appearances in 2017 and 2018 and the Lions' only CCC regular-season crown in 2017.
Eastern Nazarene Men's Tennis Class of 2020:
Corey Davis (Derby, Vt.)
A four-year member of the program, Corey Davis compiled a 3-5 career record and posted a 3-4 mark in singles matches. A sports management major, he was twice named to the Academic All-Conference list. Upon graduating, Corey will be working in the athletic department at Castleton State University before looking to pursue a higher degree in sports analytics.
Alberto Escobar (Sevilla, Spain)
In two seasons with the Lions, Alberto Escobar notched a 28-18 overall record. An Academic All-GNAC honoree, he tallied 14 doubles victories and 12 singles wins in his career.
Kyle Pierson (Redding, Calif.)
Kyle Pierson racked up a career record of 78-36 in his four seasons with the program. A two-time Academic All-Conference honoree, he registered 39 victories in both singles and doubles matches. Upon graduating, Kyle plans to work in the forensic science field in the Boston area.
Laurent Ruttkowski (Castrop-Rauxel, Germany)
Laurent Ruttkowski compiled a career record of 50-31 in four years at Eastern Nazarene. A two-time Academic All-Conference selection, he chalked up 20 singles wins and 30 doubles victories in his career. Laurent Ruttkowski collected All-Commonwealth Coast Conference third team singles and doubles accolades as a sophomore. Upon graduating, Laurent plans to attend graduate school for journalism.
Henry Siercke (Hamburg, Germany)
One of the most decorated players in program history, Henry Siercke posted a career record of 99-35 in four years with the program. He racked up 54 victories in doubles action while notching 45 wins in singles play. Henry Siercke was tabbed the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a senior while earning All-GNAC first team singles and doubles honors in 2019. He was also named the GNAC Tournament Most Valuable Player and claimed All-Tournament accolades after leading the Lions to the 2019 GNAC title. As a sophomore, Henry Siercke collected All-Commonwealth Coast Conference second team singles laurels. He was selected as the CCC Rookie of the Year and received All-CCC first team singles and doubles honors in 2017. A business management major, Henry Siercke was named to the Academic All-Conference list twice. Upon graduating, Henry plans to either begin working in the business field or pursue a Master's degree.
Head Coach Cristian Popa had this to say about ENC Men's Tennis Class of 2020:
"I feel very fortunate to have had a such an amazing team over the last few years. This is probably the most successful tennis team in program history: CCC Regular-Season Champion, two CCC Tournament finals appearances, GNAC championship, and NCAA Tournament Round of 32. What made this team so great is not only their tennis talent, but also their dedication to each other on and off the court and their passion to win. I'm heartbroken for them but I'm hopeful that we'll see each other soon at an alumni event and retell the great stories we had over the years. So proud to have accompanied this team on their epic journey."
