A strong end to the season for the Augustana Vikings men's tennis team saw them winners of four of their final five matches, including a CCIW Tournament opening-round win over Millikin to advance the young Augie team to the conference semifinals.

A total of ten of the team's 13 roster members this year were underclassmen, all getting action in either dual or tournament play in 2021-22. The Vikings opened up their fall slate with two tournaments, beginning with the CCIW Individual Tournament in September. Freshman Arthur Hermange placed second in the top singles flight of the weekend as he squared off against some of the best players the conference has to offer. Hermange won his first two matches in consecutive sets before dropping a competitive match to North Central's Ramon Vilarroig in the title match. Augustana boasted several top-five finishes in singles action, with Kyle Boudreau joining his teammate with a second-place standing at No. 5.

At the ITA regionals in October, Hermange placed second in the consolation bracket.

Fast-forwarding to the spring, the Vikings began their non-conference schedule with a string of high-quality competition, falling in their first five matches before defeating Illinois Tech on the road by a score of 5-4 for their first win of the year. The team continued their tough schedule down in South Carolina for spring break, closing out the trip with a 9-0 win over Lawrence.

The Vikings split their first two contests in conference play, which included a 9-0 win over Carroll. After dropping two straight on the road, Augustana rounded out the regular season with three straight victories over Illinois Wesleyan, Elmhurst, and Millikin, earning them the No. 4 seed in the postseason tournament. Augie defeated Millikin for the second consecutive game in the first round by a final of 5-0, but fell in the semifinals to eventual champion North Central.

This season was the seventh straight season the Vikings have finished with an above .500 record in conference play.

Between tournaments and dual matches, Hermange led the Vikings with 14 singles wins in 2021-22.  He also added 10 doubles wins, all coming with teammate Leonardo Panosso.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, Hermange was named the 2021-22 CCIW Newcomer of the Year and landed on First Team All-Conference. Justin Cassens was named this year's recipient of the RESPECT Award, granted by the CCIW.
 
2021-22 AUGUSTANA MEN'S TENNIS SUPERLATIVES
CCIW ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS: Arthur Hermange (First Team)
CCIW Players of the Week: Arthur Hermange, Leonardo Panosso
CCIW Academic All-Conference: Justin Cassens, Jesse Dyer, David Russ


TEAM AWARDS

Most Valuable Player: Arthur Hermange
Most Improved Player: Gabriel Luna
Newcomer of the Year: Arthur Hermange
Viking Award ("hands down best teammate" award): Leonardo Panosso