NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Lipscomb men's tennis team was off to its best start in school history when the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. They didn’t get the opportunity to win a trophy, but we honor them with this Curtain Call.
A program that had struggled for many years has taken great strides under third-year coach Geoff Hernandez. Led by three seniors at the top of the singles lineup, the Bisons started 2020 9-0.
Victor Chaw was the team’s no. 1 ranked singles player, and has also been a fixture in the national doubles rankings all four of his seasons on campus. Pablo Chaffarena and Jorge Ortegon were also ranked doubles players and reliable competitors in the singles lineup, playing mostly at no. 2 and no. 3 respectively.
Hernandez says that trio deserves a lot of credit for the way Lipscomb tennis has elevated itself into one of the contenders in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
"They're a part of a team that was on its way to accomplishing a lot of great things, and they've been a part of that process for four years now,” Hernandez said. “They're kind of the heart and soul of this next generation that we've had."
The story for these three seniors and the rise of Lipscomb tennis may not be over. Thanks to a NCAA ruling allowing spring sports athletes to pursue an extra year of eligibility, all three could return next year.
So it is possible even bigger things are in store at Lipscomb.
