CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the 2025 Men’s Tennis All-MAC First- and Second-Team selections and the Specialty Awards winners on Tuesday. The announcement follows the completion of the conference tournament in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Western Michigan’s Anton Arzhankin was named MAC Player of the Year, registering a 36-6 singles record and a 23-10 doubles record this year. Arzhankin also broke the program single-season record for singles wins vs. NIU on April 12 at home to wrap up the regular season for the Brown and Gold.
Lee Nickell was named MAC Coach of the Year after leading Buffalo to a 9-1conference record coupled with the MAC Regular Season title. The Bulls also claimed their third MAC Tournament Championship in program history, all under Coach Nickell, on Sunday afternoon.
UIC’s Eldin Nikoc earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors, after going 12-4 in singles play and 10-8 in doubles competition. Nikoc is the first Flame in program history to earn this conference award.
Buffalo’s Cheng Tang was named the recipient of the Jack Vredevelt Sportsmanship Award, to go along with his MAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award. Tang clinched both match points for the Bulls in their tournament run over the weekend and finished the year 19-11 from the singles court and 17-9 in doubles competition.
2025 MAC Men’s Tennis All-MAC and Specialty Awards
MAC Coach of the Year: Lee Nickell, Buffalo
MAC Freshman of the Year: Eldin Nokic, UIC
MAC Player of the Year: Anton Arzhankin, Western Michigan
Jack Vredevelt Sportsmanship Award: Cheng Tang, Buffalo
All-MAC First Team
Anton Arzhankin, Western Michigan
Theodoros Mitsakos, Buffalo
Iker Arrastia, Northern Illinois
Hanamichi Carvajal, Toledo
Eldin Nokic, UIC
Cheng Tang, Buffalo
All-MAC Second Team
Poonthong Komolpisut, Toledo
Ashton Adesoro, Western Michigan
Jacks Lancaster, Ball State
Nathaniel Webster, Ball State
Clement Mainguy, Buffalo
Milos Mikovic, UIC
MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player: Cheng Tang, Buffalo
MAC All-Tournament Team
Cheng Tang, Buffalo
Daniils Snaiders, Buffalo
Sajin Smith, Ball State
Emil Dapcevic, UIC
Anton Arzhankin, Western Michigan
Brogan Pierce, Western Michigan
