TWU Nets Fourth Consecutive AAC Tournament Title; All-AAC Team, Awards Announced

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - It was a battle that lived up to the NAIA Top 10 billing, but in the end, top-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan defeated No. 2 seed Reinhardt 4-1 to win the 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Tennis Tournament championship on Saturday.

The tournament was held at the Champions Tennis Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The tournament title is Tennessee Wesleyan's fourth in a row.

In addition to being the top two teams in the AAC, Tennessee Wesleyan and Reinhardt are two of the top teams in the NAIA. Tennessee Wesleyan is ranked No. 2 in the nation, while Reinhardt is ranked No. 9.

Tennessee Wesleyan scored the doubles point, winning at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles by identical scores of 6-0.

Pol Masafret pulled Reinhardt even at 1-all as he won at No. 3 singles, winning 6-1, 6-3. H

However, Zoilo Rois and David Leon picked up wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles for Tennessee Wesleyan for a 3-1 advantage. Octavio Volpi then sealed the deal with a 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.

With the win, Tennessee Wesleyan receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, which is set for May 14-18 in Mobile, Ala.

The All-AAC Team and awards were announced following the match. Volpi is the Player of the Year for the second year in a row, while Agustin Gaia of Tennessee Wesleyan is the Freshman of the Year. Francisco Gallardo of Tennessee Wesleyan is the Coach of the Year.

In all, 10 were named to the All-AAC first team, six to the second team, and six to the All-Freshmen Team.

The All-Academic and Champions of Character teams will be announced on Tuesday.

For a look at the All-AAC Team, click here.

Friday, April 12 - All matches will not begin before 10 a.m.
Match 1 - No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan def. No. 8 Columbia, 4-0
Match 2 - No. 2 Reinhardt def. No. 7 Johnson, 4-0
Match 3 - No. 3 Union def. No. 6 SCAD Atlanta, 4-1
Match 4 - No. 5 Pikeville def. No. 4 Milligan, 4-2

Friday, April 12 - All matches will not begin before 7 p.m.
Match 5 - Tennessee Wesleyan def. Pikeville, 4-0
Match 6 - Reinhardt def. Union, 4-0

Saturday, April 13 - Match will not begin before 2 p.m.
Match 7 - Championship Match - Tennessee Wesleyan def. Reinhardt, 4-1