The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) has recently announced its 2025 men's tennis All-Conference team, celebrating exceptional performances and leadership within the league. Flagler College's Simon Malis earned the title of PBC Player of the Year, while his coach Jonas Piibor was honored as Coach of the Year. Additionally, Lander University's Harry Pugh was recognized as Freshman of the Year, and his teammate Ludvig Danielsson received the Elite 18 Award.

This announcement highlights the remarkable achievements of players like Malis, who dominated various singles positions with an impressive 21-4 record, and Pugh, whose debut season saw significant success in both singles and doubles competitions. Meanwhile, Piibor's strategic guidance propelled Flagler to another championship year, showcasing their continued dominance in the PBC.

Flagler Dominates with Stellar Performances

Simon Malis from Flagler College emerged as a standout player in the PBC this season. The sophomore, hailing from Ostrava, Czech Republic, displayed versatility by playing at three different singles spots, achieving an outstanding overall record of 21-4. His performance included a strong showing in dual matches (15-2) and conference play (4-1). Ranked 29th nationally in singles and 24th in doubles alongside partner Aniss Rafiq, Malis added yet another accolade to Flagler's legacy.

Malis's journey is particularly noteworthy, as he becomes the eighth PBC men's tennis player to receive both Freshman and Player of the Year honors during their career. This achievement underscores not only his individual excellence but also Flagler's commitment to nurturing top-tier talent. Coach Jonas Piibor's leadership played a pivotal role in fostering this environment, guiding the team to their third regular-season championship in four years. Piibor himself received Coach of the Year honors for the third time, reflecting his consistent impact on the program's success. Under his direction, Flagler achieved perfection in league play for the second consecutive year, losing just one conference match over the past four seasons.

Lander's Rising Star and Team Excellence

Hailing from Greymouth, New Zealand, Harry Pugh made waves in his first collegiate season at Lander University. Competing in 16 out of 17 dual matches, Pugh showcased remarkable consistency with a 13-3 overall singles record and an impressive 11-3 mark at the #1 singles position. His performance in conference matches was equally commendable, going 4-1 at #1 singles and defeating four members of the All-Conference team. In doubles, Pugh paired effectively with Brendan Jayaprakash, earning them second-team All-Conference recognition.

Pugh's accomplishments mark him as the first Lander player to earn Freshman of the Year honors since Joakim Karlsson in 2006, highlighting the resurgence of Lander's tennis program. Alongside Pugh, teammate Ludvig Danielsson claimed the Elite 18 Award, further emphasizing Lander's depth and talent. Together, these accolades reflect a promising future for Lander's men's tennis team, setting the stage for continued growth and competition within the PBC. With young talents like Pugh leading the charge, Lander aims to build upon its successes and challenge established powerhouses such as Flagler in upcoming tournaments.