Men’s tennis is off to their best start to a season in years, currently sitting at a record of 9-6 and on a five-game win streak. The team is undefeated in Southern Conference play this season, amassing a 5-0 record against conference foes.
The team got off to a rough start, though, falling 7-0 to two SEC opponents in Auburn University and the University of Georgia to start the season. The program grabbed its first win of the season against the College of Charleston, beating the Cougars, 5-2. After dropping two games against Georgia Southern and Belmont University, the team began their win streak against James Madison University, sweeping the Dukes.
To kick off SoCon play, the Bears won two close games against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and East Tennessee State University, both by a score of 4-3. Mercer added two more to the win column against The Citadel and Furman University, winning 6-1 and 4-1 respectively. It was the Bears' first win against Furman since 2018. On Sunday, Mercer hosted the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, routing the Spartans, 7-0.
The team is led by Hod'Abalo Isak Padio ‘25, who leads the team in wins and currently holds a singles record of 21-10. Padio is undefeated in conference play, going 5-0, since coming to Mercer from Iowa Central Community College. He’s become a major part of the team’s recent success, going 9-1 over his last 10 matches as two of the five matchups with SoCon opponents was decided by just one match.
On the doubles side, Padio and Amen Prince Gandonou ‘26 have gone 22-9 this season, and Marceau Fouilhoux ‘25 and Nemanaja Stefanovic ‘26 have formed a dominant doubles squad for Mercer. The doubles teams are 13-3 on the season, and together form the top primary and secondary doubles teams in the SoCon.
To close the season, the team will travel to Spartanburg, S.C. to take on Wofford College (6-10) on April 8. The last game of the season before the SoCon Tournament takes place at home against current No. 2 Samford University (15-5).
The SoCon Tournament will kick off in Chattanooga, Tenn., and will play out from April 17-19.
Jacob Hossler '28 is majoring in Biology with a potential English minor. In his free time he enjoys photography, writing, and playing tennis and soccer.
