BEVERLY, Mass. (4/30/24) – The Nichols College Men's Tennis Team's CCC dominance continued as they collected a conference-high 10 difference honors for the yearly awards, the conference announced Tuesday. These were highlighted by sophomore Leon Zeis who collected a Player of the Year nod, and Head Coach Ron Gendron who was named the CCC Coach of the Year.
Gendron guided the Bison as they enjoyed much success in the CCC this season, going a perfect 7-0 in conference play, including five 9-0 shutout victories. He helped the Bison secure the number one seed for post-season play and hosting rights through the 2024 CCC Playoffs. Out of conference play, he helped curate one of the most rigorous schedules in Nichols Tennis history, as the Bison played opponents across all three divisions, compiling an 11-7 record. This included matches against Division One powerhouses and nationally ranked Division Three teams.
Zeis was a lock in the number one position for the Bison. He went a perfect 7-0 in CCC play, being the only number one singles player in the conference to go undefeated. Zeis and his number one doubles partner junior Kerem Subasi were also named first-team all-conference doubles team members. The pair went 6-1 in CCC play. The Player of the Year honor continues Zeis' success as he was named CCC Rookie of the Year last season.
Joining Zeis on the first team all-conference singles team was senior Trevor Schwarzmann, juniors Enzo Matos Balleux and Richard Hartmann Zuzio. Schwarzmann was a two-time CCC player of the week and went 6-0 in CCC play at number two singles. Matos Balleux was 1-0 at number three and 5-0 at number four in CCC singles play and was a lock for the Bison's depth. Hartmann Zuzio also bounced around positions, going 1-0 at number two and 6-0 at number three.
Bison pairings of Caio Dieckmann / Hartmann Zuzio and Schwarzmann / Matos Balleux were named to the second-team all-conference doubles. Dieckmann and Hartmann Zuzio were 7-0 in CCC play at number two doubles, and in the three position, Schwarzmann and Matos Balleux were also perfect at 7-0.
Rounding out the Bison's honorees was Caio Dieckmann who was named to the CCC third team for his singles performance. Dieckmann played various positions for the Bison going 1-0 at four, 2-0 at five, and 3-0 at six.
Nichols opens their post-season play in the Commonwealth Coast Conference tournament as the number one seed as they host Gordon College in the CCC semi-final match. That game is set for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1st at 4 PM in Dudley.
