Plano, TX/COLLIN CC—The ASA College men’s tennis team are the 2014 NJCAA National Champions! The Avengers, in first place going into championship matches, won four finals matches to win the five-day tournament by two team points. This is ASA’s second national championship in school history with the women’s tennis team winning the school’s first last Friday.

Entering the final day of the tournament, the Avengers would find themselves in the driver’s seat by 1.5 points (Tyler JC would eventually gain the half point in the morning with a backdraw championship). ASA played for the national championship in singles flights no. 2, 3, 5, and 6, and in no. 2 and no. 3 doubles flights. Freshman Shaq Taylor would win the Avengers’ first national championship of the day by defeating Tyler JC (6-0, 6-2) in the no. 6 flight singles final. Freshman Jack Boling would win ASA’s second singles title by defeating Tyler (6-2, 6-3) at the no. 2 flight. Freshmen Stephen Watson and sophomore Liam Gomez would lose tough matches at the no. 3 flight and no. 5 flight respectively. However, the Avengers would keep a one-point advantage going into their two doubles championships of the day at flight no. 2 and flight no. 3.

The Avengers’ lead would be erased as Tyler would win the no. 1 flight doubles championship for a chance to share the team title. Sophomore Chistian Waldron and freshman Shaq Taylor had other plans as they clinched the team national championship in a two set (7-6 (6), 6-3) thriller over Tyler in the flight no. 3 final. Down a set, freshman Stephen Watson would win the final two in heroic fashion over Laredo in the flight no. 2 doubles final for the icing on the cake and the Avengers’ fourth national championship match win of the day.

ASA entered the national tournament ranked the #1 team in the NJCAA and will end the 2014 season as the top-dog.

In the final huddle, ASA Head Coach and MaxPreps Coach of the Year, Brian Slack, commended his team, “We came here with a big target on our back at #1,” he said. “We did what we had to do and took care of business despite the pressure of the top ranking, which is the true sign of a great team. I am proud of every single one of 0you and your dedication to this program.” The huddle broke with a team chant of “WE ARE…A-S-A!”