WORCESTER, Mass. – Junior
Matt Carlson of the Holy Cross men's tennis team has been voted to the 2026 Patriot League second team announced Friday by the conference office following a collection of votes by the league's head coaches.
Carlson becomes just the third All-Patriot League selection in program history joining Matt Wierzel (2009 second team) and teammate, sophomore
Ezequiel De la Plaza (2025, second team).
A three-time Patriot League honorable mention selection this spring, Carlson recorded an undefeated regular-season in league singles action going an unblemished 4-0. He defeated Petter Hagen (6-2, 6-4) of Loyola (Md.) on April 12 at No 1 singles and was a perfect 3-0 at No. 2 singles in conference bouts beating Aidan Lee (6-2, 6-3) of Colgate on March 13, Derrin Lerner of Lafayette (6-3, 4-6, 6-0) on March 22 and Jakob Esterowitz (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) of Boston University on April 4.
Overall, Carlson was 8-8 in singles play and ranked second on the team singles wins during the spring slate.
In doubles action, Carlson went 9-8 with notable Patriot League decisions against Jakob Esterowitz/Andrew Andea of Boston University (7-6) on April 4 and Jake Magnusson/Sam Gelber of Lafayette 7-6 in the Patriot League First Round on April 23.
Holy Cross finished the season 8-13 overall and 1-4 in league matches. It was their second straight year of eight victories which is their most overall team wins in 22 years.
2026 Patriot League Men's Tennis Major Awards
Player of the Year - Amar Tahirovic, Bucknell
Rookie of the Year - Aleksandar Daskalovic, Lehigh
Doubles Team of the Year - Amar Tahirovic and Brendan McDonald, Bucknell
Coaching Staff of the Year - Navy, Head Coach Chris Garner
Men's Tennis All-League First Team
Amar Tahirovic, Bucknell
Herrick Legaspi, Navy
Alex Van Lumich, Lehigh
Jackson Armistead, Army West Point
Jimin Jung, Army West Point
Charlie Spencer, Navy
Men's Tennis All-League Second Team *
Sean Jaeger, Lehigh
Ricky Espaillat, Lafayette
Matt Carlson, Holy Cross
Liam Kilmer, Bucknell
Petter Hagen, Loyola Maryland
Alon Ton, Army West Point
JJ Etterbeek, Navy
*Additional member added to the second team due to tie in voting
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross men's tennis team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossMTennis | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossmtennis | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Men's Tennis | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross
