Marina
The 2025 tennis season wrapped up in triumphant fashion for Emporia State University’s Hornet Tennis Team, with both men’s and women’s squads securing impressive national and regional rankings.
Led by standout singles and doubles performances, the Hornets reestablished their presence on the national stage, showing resilience, growth, and championship potential.
This season was marked by record-breaking stats, milestone wins, and renewed postseason appearances. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the Hornets’ tennis accomplishments in 2025.
Anton Sarunic: A Season to Remember
Emporia State’s Anton Sarunic etched his name in the national rankings by finishing the season #24 in the country in singles.
Competing primarily in the #1 singles slot, Sarunic posted a remarkable 16-8 overall record, with a 9-6 record in spring dual competitions. His consistent power and tactical precision earned him the #8 spot in the ITA Central Region rankings.
Sarunic’s performance played a crucial role in lifting the Hornets to a regionally competitive status, showing that Emporia State can produce top-tier individual talent.
Doubles Dominance: Mazuay and Mattenberger Shine
The dynamic doubles team of Gwendal Mazuay and Alexis Mattenberger also turned heads on the national scene. The pair ended the season ranked #45 in the national ITA rankings, backed by a solid 12-8 spring record.
Match Breakdown:
- #3 Doubles Position: 4-0
- #1 Doubles Position: 6-7
- #2 Doubles Position: 2-1
Their flexibility across multiple doubles positions highlighted their adaptability and synergy. Like Sarunic, they also earned a #8 regional ranking in the Central Region, helping to elevate the Hornets’ overall doubles reputation.
Team Performance: Men’s Season Recap
The Emporia State men’s tennis team finished the spring season with a record of 11-8, marking a successful and hard-fought return to postseason play.
Key Milestone:
- Advanced to the MIAA-GAC Tournament
- First postseason appearance since 2019, before the MIAA and GAC scheduling alliance began in 2019-20
The Hornets demonstrated strong team cohesion and depth, making them a competitive force in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and Great American Conference (GAC) partnership structure.
Emporia State Women Also Shine
The Emporia State women’s tennis team also wrapped up a solid campaign, ranked #10 in the ITA Central Regional Rankings. They ended their season with an overall record of 10-10, including a 5-4 conference record.
Tournament Highlights:
- Entered the MIAA Tournament as the #5 seed
- Pushed eventual champion Central Oklahoma to a close 4-3 match in the quarterfinals
This competitive performance showcased the women’s team’s resilience and potential for deeper postseason runs in future seasons.
Hornet Tennis 2025 Highlights
| Category | Player/Team | Ranking/Record |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Singles | Anton Sarunic | #24 National, #8 Regional, 16-8 Overall |
| Top Doubles Team | Gwendal Mazuay & Alexis Mattenberger | #45 National, #8 Regional, 12-8 Record |
| Men’s Team | Emporia State Hornets | 11-8 Overall, MIAA-GAC Tournament Appearance |
| Women’s Team | Emporia State Hornets | 10-10 Overall, #10 Regional, MIAA Quarterfinal |
| Notable Postseason | Both Men’s & Women’s Teams | Returned to postseason competition |
What These Rankings Mean
Finishing the season with both national and regional rankings positions the Hornet Tennis program for long-term growth. The individual accolades of Sarunic, Mazuay, and Mattenberger have not only boosted visibility but also set a new performance benchmark for Emporia State.
For a program that hadn’t seen postseason play since 2019, these accomplishments signify a renewed era of competitiveness, recruitment potential, and coaching excellence.
The 2025 tennis season has been a banner year for Emporia State University, with the Hornet Tennis Team earning national recognition and reclaiming its competitive edge in the Central Region.
Led by standout performances from Anton Sarunic, Gwendal Mazuay, and Alexis Mattenberger, both the men’s and women’s squads proved they are ready to challenge top programs.
As Emporia State heads into the offseason, one thing is clear: Hornet Tennis is back—and it’s here to stay.