Holy Cross College put another Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) championship in the books.
After winning their first CCAC title just two years ago, the Holy Cross men’s tennis team won their third consecutive league championship this season. The Saints are quickly becoming one of the most formidable National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) programs in the nation, and now they enter the NAIA Tournament May 13-17 seeking their first national championship.
After bowing out in the tournament’s second round last season, the No. 9 Saints have put together a successful 12-3 season again this year. The Saints were undefeated in league play, culminated in their CCAC tournament championship victory over Olivet Nazarene on April 26.
Led by senior captain Ciaran McCarthy and star senior Perry Gregg, the Saints returned every member of last year’s team, which finished No. 15 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. Gregg currently ranks as the No. 20 singles player nationally and makes up one half of the nation’s top doubles team with junior Luca McManus. Holy Cross also added impact junior transfers Calvin Golmei and Matthew Jezky to a roster.
Gregg will conclude his Holy Cross career as a foundational piece of the new program’s legacy, having won the College’s first CCAC men’s tennis title, first NAIA tournament game and accomplished more success each coming season.
“It’s elevated our ability to recruit,” head coach Eric Mahone said of Gregg. “When you have the best player in the country, other players want to play with him.”
On May 12, the ITA named Gregg its 2025 national senior player of the year. A fitting honor for Gregg’s successful career, it came among a number of honors for Holy Cross players. McCarthy was announced as ITA’s East Region most improved player while McManus was named ITA East Region player to watch.
The team now turns its attention with anticipation to the national tournament. The 10th-seeded Saints begin tournament play against No. 23 McPherson May 13.
“In my opinion, there are only three teams that have the talent to win the whole thing. We are one of those three,” Mahone said. “For us it’s going to be, can we stay healthy during the whole tournament?”
The Saints persevered through injury for much of the season, including in their second and final loss of the season to No. 6 Lindsey Wilson on March 5.
“Really that’s what we’ve been spending the last few weeks on, is just getting healthy,” Mahone said.
In better health, the Saints have high expectations, and rightfully so. Having taken a step forward each season, it’s reasonable to expect Holy Cross’s star-studded lineup to reach higher again this year.
