KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The John Brown University men's tennis team saw its 2025 season come to an end as the Golden Eagles fell to second-seeded Missouri Baptist, 4-0, on Friday morning (April 18) in the quarterfinal round of the Heart of America Athletic tournament at the Plaza Tennis Center.
The Golden Eagles (8-11) struggled from the outset as the Spartans quickly seized control of the doubles point. Strahinja Radanovic and Arkhip Tokmakov handled sophomore Negad Ezzat and freshman Lucas Machado, 6-1, at the second flight, before Lucas Kzam and Nicolas Sanchez edged junior Jonathan Hillock and sophomore Andrew Aylor, 7-6 (7-4), at the third position to secure the doubles point. The top doubles match went unfinished with the point already decided.
Missouri Baptist (15-6) carried its momentum into singles play, with Luca da Silva Ebenriter defeating Ezzat, 6-0, 6-3, at the top flight. Tokmakov extended the Spartans' lead to 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over junior Hayes Stark at the fifth position.
The match was clinched at the bottom spot, where Sanchez completed the sweep with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Hillock. The remaining singles matches were halted with the team result decided.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Keeter was named to the Heart of America's All-Conference first team after finishing the year 15-2 in singles action and a perfect 6-0 mark at the third flight. The honor was the first of his career.
While the loss concludes John Brown's campaign, the Golden Eagles will return the entire roster next season, as the Blue and Gold fielded a squad without any seniors this season.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Twitter (@JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and Facebook (/JBUathletics). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
