Promising outlook for Tiger men’s tennis team

With three returning players from last year’s tennis team that finished in a tie for seventh at the national tournament to go along with five talented newcomers, the Cowley College men’s tennis team has reason to be optimistic heading into the season.

Cowley is led by former All-American tennis player Josh Cobble, who is in his first season as head coach.

Cobble feels good about the talent the Tigers have assembled.
“Our goal is always to qualify for nationals and try to win the region title,” Cobble said.

Richard Filkuka and Diego Motivar are coming off stellar freshman campaigns and are each ranked in the top-five in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings. The duo are also the defending Region VI champions at No. 2 doubles, and are ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division II as a doubles team.

“I look for both of them to have a shot at competing for national titles in singles and doubles,” Cobble said.

Sean Cobble, brother of Josh, returns to the squad after teaming with Jim Blacketer to capture the No. 3 doubles title at last year’s region tournament.
“The guys coming back each had success last year and have continued working hard,” Cobble said.

Freshmen Boomer Saia from Arkansas City and Ignacio Velez from Bogotá, Colombia, performed well in the fall and will be valuable additions to the squad.
“They have done everything I have asked and are doing a great job,” Cobble said.

Saia captured back-to-back state doubles titles in high school, while also winning three regional titles, one Ark Valley–Chisholm Trail League individual title and one AV-CTL team championship. He helped lead Ark City to its first AV-CTL Division II league title since 1990.

Velez was one of the top ranked junior tennis players in Colombia. His strong baseline game will allow him to make an immediate Cowley added three new players at the end of the first semester. Mathew Slovacek, a sophomore from Ennis, Texas, joins Oklahoma sophomore Bruce Maytubby and freshman David Whitley as new additions to the Tiger tennis team.

“They lack a little in experience, but are making up for it with lots of hard work to get ready to play this level of tennis,” Cobble said.

Cobble has put together a tough schedule for the Tigers, including matches against NCAA Division I and Division II schools.

“I want to play the best competition out there so we won’t be surprised when we get to any match,” Cobble said.

Seward County, Barton County and Johnson County will be some of the Tigers’ toughest competition in the region.

“We are excited about the season and will compete hard,” Cobble said.