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Men's Tennis senior day
Chad Peters
Men's Tennis seniors Matt Banner (left), Brien Galon (center) and Luke Keller were honored Thursday.

Men's Tennis RattlerAthletics.com

A piece of history: Men's Tennis claims 1st Heartland crown

By Ruben Dominguez | St. Mary's Athletics Communications

SAN ANTONIO — For the first time in school history, St. Mary's Men's Tennis can call itself Heartland Conference regular-season champions after beating St. Edwards, 5-4, Thursday afternoon.

After overcoming the odds, as has been the trend for the majority of the season, the Rattlers were able to capture only their second regular-season crown in any conference in program history. 

The last time came in 1977 as members of the Big State Conference. 

The match, which dually served as senior day for Matt Banner, Luke Keller and Brien Galon, was a fitting way to end their careers at Rohrbach Stadium, as they were able to defeat a conference foe in St. Edwards, who had traditionally gotten the better of St. Mary's.

"Just finally getting over that struggle that we've been in to beat St. Ed's," Galon said, "It's nice to officially get it and go into (the conference tournament) as the No. 1 seed." 

Although the senior was limited to cheering on his fellow teammates due to injury, it would be the new crop of youngsters that would steal the show on the senior's big day.

Sophomore Aldo Maldonado and freshman Felix Hollaway would give the Rattlers the early momentum as they were able to take the 8-4 victory at No. 3 doubles. The Rattlers were able to double their advantage when the team of Michael Maciel and Jose Antelo would capture the point at No. 2, 8-6.

Despite losing the No.1 match, the Rattlers would carry the early lead heading into singles play.

Richie Foley would avenge his loss in doubles, coming through in a big way as he was victorious 6-0, 6-2 to give the Rattlers a sizeable 3-1 advantage. He finished the match with an emphatic fist pump, setting the stage for the sort of emotion the Rattlers would display all afternoon. 

Freshman Jose Antelo would capitalize on the opportunity, after the Hilltoppers took the match at No. 1 singles, to put his team one win away from capturing the elusive title, with a resounding 6-2, 7-6 win. It was the Bolivian native's team-high 16th win of the season, which set up his fellow freshman, Hollaway, to clinch the match. 

Hollaway, who lost the first set, was able to battle back and win a spectacular three-set thriller in front of a strong St. Mary's contingent and teammates. The Rattlers were able to garner their first Heartland Conference crown not only to the delight of the seniors, but was something the young guns like Antelo believe can become a reoccurring trend.

"I came here without knowing the level, but when I came here I was so impressed" said Antelo, who went 2-0 on the day. "This is a big, big win. Now with this match, let's keep this going."

Head coach Lisa Dausin was happy for a group that overcame many obstacles during the season to take the St. Mary's Men's Tennis program to a level it has never before been. 

She knows, however, that the road for this team could go much further than this stage, but it will take the same resilience that the team carried throughout the regular season.

"We should enjoy today — fully," she said. "It's the first time we've had everything line up where there is an open door to nationals for the men. That's all it is: an open door. Whether we run through it or not, it'll be up to these guys."

Dausin also commended her seniors, applauding their full team effort, despite not joining their comrades on the court. It was a testament to the group as this has been the goal from Day One. Now, Galon and his team are ready to try their hand at the Heartland Conference Tournament, beginning April 29 in Dallas.

"Its bigger than me," Galon said of his positive mentality while injured. "It's the entire team. It hurts me not to be in there, but they've done well without me. Hopefully I'll be back for the conference tournament and we can win it this year."
 
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Players Mentioned

Matt Banner

Matt Banner

5' 11"
Senior
Brien Galon

Brien Galon

5' 8"
Senior
Luke Keller

Luke Keller

5' 10"
Senior
Michael Maciel

Michael Maciel

5' 7"
Junior
Aldo Maldonado

Aldo Maldonado

Sophomore
Felix Hollaway

Felix Hollaway

6' 0"
Freshman
Jose Antelo

Jose Antelo

5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Matt Banner

Matt Banner

5' 11"
Senior
Brien Galon

Brien Galon

5' 8"
Senior
Luke Keller

Luke Keller

5' 10"
Senior
Michael Maciel

Michael Maciel

5' 7"
Junior
Aldo Maldonado

Aldo Maldonado

Sophomore
Felix Hollaway

Felix Hollaway

6' 0"
Freshman
Jose Antelo

Jose Antelo

5' 9"
Freshman

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