Not many people outside of the Northeast have heard of Marist College, and even fewer could tell you anything about its men’s tennis team, including its own student body. And yet, this little-known program has been able to piece together one of the most impressive in-conference records in the NCAA, losing only nine total dual conference matches over the past 20 years.
“If it is not clicking on the offensive end, we have to pick it up on the defensive end. Championship teams are made on the defensive end,” Marist guard Grace Vander Weide said after the Red Foxes’ 58-47 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffins on Sunday.
With a strong start from Funk and sophomore center Tobias Sjoberg, Marist strengthened their lead to 21 with 10:35 remaining in the second half. However, Marist soon lost their rhythm and with every turnover Head Coach Mike Maker saw his team’s winning probability of over 99 percent take a hit.