NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s tennis spring slate opened with early separation at the top, as Carthage and Augustana each delivered unbeaten weekends and Wheaton posted a commanding sweep in its opener. 
 
Carroll also measured itself against nationally-ranked competition, while roster and coaching movement around the league continues to shape the early-season picture heading into a fuller week of action.
 
Finn-ishing Moves and Firebird Fireworks in Kenosha
The spring 2026 season for the CCIW opened with a 2-0 weekend for Carthage, highlighted by a dominant showing from sophomore Finn Morris. Morris was named the first CCIW Men’s Tennis Student-Athlete of the Week for 2026 after posting a 4-0 individual record during a doubleheader against Coe and Central last Saturday.
 
Carthage opened with a 4-3 win over Coe. Morris and Diego Silva earned a 7-5 decision at No. 1 doubles, and Morris added a three-set win at No. 3 singles (6-1, 2-6, 6-3). Linus Bangert recorded a key 7-6, 7-6 victory at No. 5 singles, and Luca Okino secured the match with a three-set win at No. 6 singles.
 
The Firebirds followed with a 7-0 shutout of Central. Morris moved to No. 1 singles and won 6-0, 6-0. Bangert and Victor Pimenta also posted 6-0, 6-0 wins in singles as Carthage conceded few games across the lineup.
 
Vikings Set Sail with Sterling Performances and Tiebreak Triumphs
Augustana also opened 2-0, beginning with a 5-2 win over MSOE in Sterling, Ill. last Saturday After dropping the doubles point, the Vikings responded by winning five of six singles matches. Aingeru Garcia and Jorge Marcelo Escribano provided the doubles win at No. 1 (6-4). In singles, Santiago Lazo and Pedro Nunes both rebounded from first-set losses to win in super tiebreaks.
 
A Perfect Storm: Thunder Shouts Down the Warriors
Wheaton produced one of the most lopsided results of the opening week with a 7-0 win over Wisconsin Lutheran last Saturday.
 
Andrew Jang, David Hill and Joshua Hartman each won 6-0, 6-0 at Nos. 2, 4, and 6 singles, respectively. Corin Tang debuted at No. 1 singles with a 6-1, 6-0 win. Wheaton also controlled doubles, including a 6-0 result from Ryder Ward and Hartman at No. 3. Andrew Winters and Jang won 6-1 at No. 1 doubles.
 
Pioneer Perseverance and the Heavyweights of Whitewater
Carroll opened the spring portion of its schedule with a 6-1 loss to No. 35 UW-Whitewater on Jan. 24, while also producing two notable wins against a nationally-ranked opponent. Felix Persson and Layton Carls earned a 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles, and Ryan LaBelle won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.
 
Andrew LaBelle competed at No. 1 singles and dropped a 6-1, 6-3 decision in a match that featured extended points.
 
The Global Game: International Trends and Coaching Shifts
Roster composition across the league continues to reflect the CCIW’s increasing international footprint. North Central lists players from France, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Colombia. Augustana features student-athletes from Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal and Iran. Carthage includes players from France, Brazil and the United Kingdom, while Millikin lists talent from Spain, Germany, Australia and Italy.
 
The conference also enters the season with several coaching transitions. Max O’Malley was named Director of Tennis at Elmhurst, and Connor Barnard took over the same role at Millikin. North Central is operating under Interim Head Coach Joey Leto. 
 
Border Wars and Big-City Duels: Scouting the Week Ahead
The upcoming week features a full slate of non-conference matches that will continue to measure the CCIW against regional competition. Wheaton will travel to Lake Geneva, Wis., for the Warhawk Invite, opening Friday against host and No. 35 Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Thunder will then play a Saturday doubleheader against Grinnell and Luther.
 
Carthage and Carroll will compete in Owatonna, Minn., with both programs scheduled for matches against Carleton and St. Olaf. Carthage is set for a Saturday doubleheader, while Carroll will face Carleton on Saturday and St. Olaf on Sunday morning. The neutral-site weekend provides an early evaluation against the MIAC.
 
North Central is slated to open its spring schedule Saturday with a road match at No. 2 Chicago, followed by a Sunday contest at Lake Forest. Illinois Wesleyan is also scheduled to begin spring play Sunday with a morning match against St. Francis (Ill.) in Lockport.