Veterans to lead men's tennis in 2026

A roster that boasts plenty of veterans is set to lead the Otterbein University men's tennis team this upcoming season. Otterbein was picked to finish second in the OAC Preseason Poll behind defending champion Ohio Northern. The Cardinals received seven points including one first place vote.

Otterbein is led by first year head coach Marc Thomas who joined the staff over summer. Three seniors and a graduate student highlight an upperclassmen-heavy roster.

Last year's No. 1 singles player Max Fickas returns, posting a 10-9 overall record. Heading into his senior year, expect Fickas to continue to make strides in the OAC and within the region. Nikita Kitaev provides experience after locking down a singles slot in last season's lineup as well. Junior Jake Chilcote turned in a 12-11 overall record last season, primarily competing in the No. 4 singles spot.

Coming in as a freshman last season, Sanjan Shanker made an immediate impact to the lineup going 13-6 in singles action, closing the season on a 9-1 record. He will continue to improve in his second year with the Cardinals. Freshman Konwei Duong adds depth to Thomas' lineup as well.

Zach Frederick and Halen Hamstead are two seniors that will round out this season's roster. Graduate student Elivh Perez adds a veteran presence to the Cardinal lineup as well, as Neil Reddy saw plenty of action in the lineup a season ago.

The 2026 spring campaign gets underway Friday afternoon in Westerville. It will be the first of three matches this weekend for the Cardinals, hosting Asbury on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Otterbein heads to Kenyon College to take on the Owls and will wrap up the weekend with a neutral site match against Rhodes on Sunday.

Conference play begins at Mount Union on Apr. 8, as three of Otterbein's final four matches are OAC contests. Sandwiched in between the conference competitions is a matchup against Denison.

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Players Mentioned

Jake Chilcote: Junior

Max Fickas: Senior

Zach Frederick: Senior

Nikita Kitaev: Junior

Neil Reddy: Junior

Sanjan Shanker: Sophomore

Halen Hamstead: Senior

Elivh Perez: Graduate Student

Konwei Duong: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jake Chilcote
: Junior

Max Fickas
: Senior

Zach Frederick
: Senior

Nikita Kitaev
: Junior

Neil Reddy
: Junior

Sanjan Shanker
: Sophomore

Halen Hamstead
: Senior

Elivh Perez
: Graduate Student

Konwei Duong
: Freshman