Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

KENOSHA, Wis. (May 7, 2022) - In a battle of the top two teams in the conference, the North Central College men's tennis team earned a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Carthage College in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament Championship to win their first conference Title since 1961. With the win, the Cardinals will head to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

Andy Hinch and Colten Way kicked off the match with an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles before Javier Suarez Balsera and Morgan Red downed Nick Marino and Myles Krzewinski 8-2. The Firebirds won No. 1 doubles as North Central took a 2-1 advantage into singles play. 

Red secured the first singles win for the Cardinals with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles. Putting North Central just one win away from a title, Ramon Vilarroig Martinez scored a 7-6, 6-1 win at first singles. Clinching the win was Suarez Balsera who fought to a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 2 giving North Central their first CCIW Championship since 1961. Matthew Sengphommachanh entered the third set with his opponent prior to the Suarez Balsera clinch.

The Cardinals await their NCAA Tournament opponent as the NCAA will post the bracket via a press release on NCAA.com on Monday.

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