MEN'S TENNIS HOPING TO MAKE MOST OUT OF 2025 SEASON

(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Men’s Tennis made back-to-back NCAA West Regional appearances for the first time last season.

Point Loma is poised to make another postseason run in 2025.

“We’re in a great spot this year to make another big run and we have the talent,” Head Coach Curt Wheeler said. “It’ll come down to winning those close matches and stepping up when those moments come, but I'm confident they're going to be ready."

In preparation for the new season, Wheeler has seen a group that is motivated to continue the program’s recent success.

“Their motivation and their focus is just trying to make the most out of the season that's coming up,” Wheeler said. “Every competition that we have in front of them, they know if they play good tennis against any team that we play, we could be walking out of that with the W.

“They wholeheartedly believe that and I've seen it in practice and in their preparation. I’m excited to see that and see this group really continue to not just be as we are but continue to get better and improve as the season goes on. We’re in a great spot to realize that potential.”

A glimpse of that potential was seen at the fall ITA West Regional Championships, where Andrew Suver and David Fisinger finished second in doubles, while Niclas Goltz reached the quarterfinals in singles.

“Andrew’s and David’s run to the to the finals of doubles was great to see and great to witness, and I think it gave them a lot of confidence in what they can do,” Wheeler said. “In general, there's a lot of confidence there in terms of what we can do together as a team and how well they can play.

“Niclas made a deep run and into the singles draw as well. He’s in a good position to make a big impact this year in singles and doubles, so it was exciting. Alex, who has been very successful at that those regional tournaments, was unable to participate but just to see the guys respond still and play some good tennis was great.”

ROSTER

The team returns six players from last season, including three-time All-PacWest performer and senior Alexander Leischner, who was also named the 2023 PacWest Player of the Year.

Suver, an All-PacWest honoree last year, is back for a fifth season while Nabeel Khan and Elias Weeks round out the seniors.

The team’s other two returners are junior Leo Bormann and sophomore Finn Kirschner.

“We have a great group of experienced older players this year,” Wheeler said. “These guys have played a lot of college tennis and they're going to be in a great spot to lead the team in terms of what we're trying to do on the court. I'm excited to see that and have already seen that play out in practice and in preparation for the season.” 

PLNU’s four newcomers are Goltz, a junior transfer, and three freshmen in Fisinger, Darius Monian and Jacob Rudd.

“All of them have been working hard and have been getting better every day,” Wheeler said. “We have a really deep team and that's a good problem to have as a coach, where you know we have a lot of guys who can step in and play good tennis.

“We have a nice blend of experience, some older and some younger. This group together has been a lot of fun to work with, but also the intensity and the focus that they all bring has been really good.”

SCHEDULE

Point Loma opens its 2025 season on Saturday at Westmont.

The Sea Lions will then return to the PLNU Tennis Courts for their first two home matches of the season against Jessup (Thursday) and Azusa Pacific (Saturday).

In total, Point Loma will play 12 of its 17 regular season matches at home.

The PacWest Championships are scheduled for Apr. 16-19 in Surprise, Ariz.

The NCAA West Regional is set to take place either May 9 or 10, with the NCAA Championships to follow May 20-24 in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

For the team’s full schedule, click HERE.