Elmira, NY -- Under first year Head Coach James McGuire the Elmira College Men's Tennis team finished the 2012-13 season 7-6 overall and 3-4 record in the Empire 8 Conference. This was the first time the Soaring Eagles have finished above .500 in at least 13 years and the second time finishing fifth place in the E8 in the last five years. 

EC Men's Tennis team was led by standouts Keith Bujak '15 and Austin Mansell '16 who showed a competitive will to win. Both players came into the spring season not knowing how they would impact the Soaring Eagle line up, but there were no doubts that they would be looked on to be tough competitors in the E8 conference. Bujak finished his season with a 7-2 overall singles record and 6-1 conference singles record. In addition, he teamed up with veteran Sam Pine '14 to play at the first doubles position going 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play. For his great play this season Bujak earned Empire 8 All-Conference Honorable Mention for singles and will be a key leader for EC in the upcoming season. He ranks tied for fifth in EC history for singles wins in a season and seventh for doubles wins in a season.
 
In his first collegiate tennis season Mansell was impressive posting a 7-3 overall singles and doubles record. In conference play he was another reliable player going 5-2 in singles and doubles, while earning Empire 8 All-Conference Honorable Mention for doubles. He currently ranks tied for fifth at EC for singles wins in a season and fourth for doubles wins in a season.
 
Also stepping up big for EC this season were Pine and Satchal Waters '16. Pine was named EC's Sportsman of the Year and Scholar Athlete of the Year for his outstanding work on the court as well as in the classroom. Additionally he went 4-3 in singles and 5-5 in doubles this season helping out the team whenever needed. Satchal had a phenomenal first season with the Purple and Gold finishing 9-4 in doubles and 6-7 in singles. He is the first EC player since 2009 to reach nine doubles wins in a season and currently is tied for first in the EC record books for doubles wins in a season. With his great performance this season he earned Empire 8 All-Conference Honorable Mention for doubles and will be a key doubles playmaker in his next three years.
 
Captains Gorav Simlote '13 and Steffan Waters '13 played big roles in motivating the team and keeping the team on track for performing at its best. Additionally Simlote and Steffan put in great efforts in doubles as well as singles to help the Soaring Eagles come close to an Empire 8 playoff berth. Both players will leave a great impact on EC Men's Tennis history finishing their four year careers in style. Simlote will finish his career ranking second in total wins (31), second in doubles wins (17) and tied for third in singles wins (14), while Steffan will finish third in total wins (29), tied for third in singles wins (14) and fourth in doubles wins (15).  
 
Other key role players for EC this season were Pavle Vashakidze '16, Steve Carlette '16 and Scott Ferron '16 who will each be looked upon to keep success high in order to help the team reach its optimal performance levels.
 
The EC Men's Tennis Team will look to build on their progress and reach the Empire 8 Tournament next season as they lose Simlote, Waters and Jon Abdelkarim '13 to graduation.