ARLINGTON, Texas (May 1, 2025) — Lubbock Christian University men's tennis received widespread recognition Wednesday evening at the Lone Star Conference Championships banquet, as redshirt sophomore standout Kelly Giese was named the 2025 LSC Men's Tennis Player of the Year, leading a dominant collection of honors for the second-seeded Chaparrals.
 
LCU, boasting a 20-2 overall record and 7-1 conference mark, claimed a league-best five all-conference singles honors, three doubles honors, and two academic accolades.
 
The awards precede Friday's LSC Championship semifinal matchup between LCU and third-seeded UT Permian Basin at 9 a.m. at Arlington Tennis Center.
 
Giese, from Manhattan Beach, Calif., has surged to No. 9 in the latest ITA national singles rankings and enters the postseason on a 13-match win streak. He posted a perfect 8-0 record in LSC play at No. 1 singles and owns a 21-7 overall mark in singles (16-5 in duals), including a 5-2 record against nationally ranked opponents. Giese also earned First Team All-Conference honors in both singles and doubles (with freshman Jordan Georgiev), and was named to the LSC Sportsmanship Team. In doubles, the Giese-Georgiev duo is ranked No. 35 nationally and posted a 7-5 overall record, going 5-2 in LSC action.
 
Georgiev, a freshman from Johannesburg, South Africa, joined Giese on the First Team Doubles list and also earned an ITA No. 70 national singles ranking. He went 10-3 overall in singles and 3-0 in LSC duals.
 
Junior Andres De Los Rios (Madrid, Spain) was honored as LSC Co-Newcomer of the Year and was a Second Team All-Conference pick in both singles and doubles. Playing primarily at line four, De Los Rios went 21-6 overall in singles (15-4 in duals, 7-1 LSC) and 18-11 in doubles, where he teamed with sophomore Pablo Segura for a 13-8 duals record and 5-2 mark in LSC matches.
 
Segura, a sophomore from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, was named First Team All-Conference in singles, Second Team in doubles, and earned a spot on the LSC All-Academic Team. He leads the team with a 26-5 singles record (18-6 in duals, 6-1 LSC), including an 11-1 mark at No. 2 singles. He's currently riding a six-match win streak and is ranked No. 13 in the ITA singles poll. In doubles, Segura leads LCU with a 20-10 overall mark (14-7 in duals), playing primarily at No. 3 doubles. He holds a 4.00 GPA in business.
 
Senior Blas Ruiz Romero (Pozoblanco, Spain) also earned Second Team All-Conference honors in singles at the No. 6 line. Romero holds an 18-6 overall singles record (14-2 in duals), highlighted by a 6-1 mark in LSC play. He also contributed in doubles with an 8-6 overall record (5-1 in duals).
 
Junior Mattia Ghedin (Trevino, Italy) added to the Chaps' academic haul, being named LSC Men's Tennis Academic Player of the Year and an All-Academic Team honoree. Ghedin, who majors in exercise science with an emphasis in exercise and health promotions, carries a perfect 4.00 GPA. He owns a team-best 13 doubles wins (13-7 in duals) and is 17-11 overall in singles, including a 12-4 record at No. 3.
 
With postseason play beginning Friday, the Chaps aim to translate their individual accolades into team success as they seek their first LSC Championship title.