Contact: Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmielcarz@noctrl.edu
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (May 2, 2026) – The North Central men's tennis program fell 4-1 to No. 32 Carthage College in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Tournament Championship on Saturday at Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington.
The Cardinals now await their fate concerning a national tournament qualification, which will be announced on Monday at 11:30 a.m.
The Firebirds earned their first point of the match in doubles. Their top pair took down Henry Ros and Andres Valverde Gonzalez 6-2, while the third pairing took home a 6-3 win over Matt Crossland and David Vilarroig Martinez to claim the doubles point.
The first point in singles was earned in the number three match. Finn Morris of Carthage won the opening set over Valverde Gonzalez 7-6 on a 7-3 tiebreaker, then won the second set by a more convincing 6-2 tally to earn the second point of the match for Carthage.
Ros then pulled the Cardinals to within one with a thrilling three-set defeat of Diego Silva. Ros claimed the opening set 6-4, then lost the second 6-4. Ros then recovered, winning the third in a decisive 6-2 fashion.
Carthage followed North Central's three-set win with a three-set win of its own. Luca Okino defeated Ignacio Hernandez Ruiz 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 to make it 3-1.
The championship was clinched by the CCIW Men's Tennis Student-Athlete of the Year, Francisco Silveria, in the number one singles match. Philipp Wottgen took the opening set 6-1, but Silveria took the next two, squeaking out a 7-5 win in the second set, and dominating to a 6-0 win in the decisive third set to clinch the championship for the Firebirds.
The men's tennis selection show is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday.
