The Northwest Missouri State University men’s tennis team finished the season ranked No. 18 in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings which were released on Thursday. The Bearcat men were also ranked No. 1 in the Central Region rankings. The women’s team was ranked No. 8 in the Central Region to end the year.

In addition to the national team ranking, the doubles team of Sergio De Vilchez and Lluis Altimires were ranked No. 12 nationally. The duo went 20-5 overall, were ranked No. 3 in the Central Region and were the MIAA No. 1 doubles champions. De Vilchez was also ranked individually, finishing the season as the nation’s No. 37 ranked player and region’s No. 4 ranked player. The sophomore went 15-6 on the year, all at the No. 1 singles position. Also earning regional rankings were Romain Boissinot (No. 9 singles), Alvaro Riveros (No. 12 singles) and Altimires (No. 15 singles). The doubles team of Riveros and Julien Couronnefinished the year ranked No. 8 in the region.

On the women’s side, Lorena Jarolim finished the year ranked No. 12 in the central region and Alexis Bartek was ranked 18th regionally. The duo also finished the year ranked fifth in the Central Region.

The Bearcat men’s team advanced to the program’s first elite eight at the NCAA Championships, defeating Northwood (Mich.) in the first round. Northwest finished 19-4 overall and were the MIAA regular season and tournament champions.

— Northwest Sports Information —