Contact: Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmielcarz@noctrl.edu
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (April 29, 2026) – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced its 2026 men's tennis All-CCIW teams this morning. Henry Ros, Philipp Wottgen and Andres Valverde Gonzalez were recognized as all-conference members while the coaching staff, led by interim head coach Joey Leto and graduate assistant Danilo Kovacevic, was selected as the coaching staff of the year.
Wottgen and Ros were selected to the All-CCIW First Team, while Valverde Gonzalez was selected to the Second Team.
Wottgen posted a 5-2 singles record in the CCIW slate for the Cardinals, doing so from the number one singles slot. He posted the same mark in doubles play for the Cardinals.
Ros tied for the team lead in singles victories with 17 this year, going 17-10 on the 2025-26 campaign. He was the lone Cardinal to post a perfect 7-0 record in CCIW play this season, helping him earn First Team recognition. Ros also tied for the team lead in doubles victories, going 16-9 on the year, splitting his time between the number one and number two spots in the doubles lineup. In CCIW duals, Ros and his partners went 5-2.
Valverde Gonzalez tied Ros for the team lead in singles victories this year, posting a 17-9 mark, primarily from the number three spot where he went an impressive 12-4. He was a near-perfect 6-1 in conference play this season, and enters the postseason 8-2 in his last 10. Valverde Gonzalez also tied Ros for the team lead in doubles victories with his 16-11 mark. Valverde Gonzalez, who is the usual doubles partner of Ros, went 5-2 in doubles during conference play this season.
Coach Leto was announced as the interim coach of the men's and women's tennis programs this winter. In just a few months at the helm, he directed the men's program to its third consecutive regular season title with a perfect 7-0 CCIW record and an impressive 14-7 regular season record, good enough for the No. 34 ranking in the most recent ITA poll.
Rafael Lessa was also recognized by the conference office on Wednesday morning as North Central's recipient of the CCIW RESPECT award, which is awarded to a member of each CCIW varsity team who demonstrates the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust while demonstrating themselves as a vital member of their team.
The Cardinals begin their postseason journey Friday in the CCIW Tournament Semifinals at 10 a.m. at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington against the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal between Wheaton College and Millikin University.
