Heading into the 2012-13 season, head coach John Browning had the daunting task of replacing three key members from the previous year who combined for 71 singles victories in helping the program to its third-ever national crown.  Two of the three, Dillon Pottish and Christopher Goodwin, captured the 2012 and 2011 NCAA singles titles, respectively, while totaling 197 singles and 170 doubles victories during their careers.

The Eagles, though falling a bit shy in their quest to defend their national crown, did manage to turn in a number of noteworthy accomplishments, highlighted by the tandem of senior Elliot Kahler and sophomore Ian Wagner becoming the first Emory duo ever to claim the NCAA D-III Doubles Championship, earning All-America honors in the process.    

For the record, Emory posted a dual record of 16-7 and finished the year ranked No. 6 nationally among Division III programs.   The Eagles hosted the first three rounds of NCAA postseason where they defeated No. 23 North Carolina Wesleyan (5-1) and No. 17 Texas-Tyler (5-0) in advancing to the quarterfinals of the national championships. 

After seeing its season end against No. 3 Amherst in the quarters, Kahler and Wagner marched through the doubles tournament, racking up four impressive victories en route to the coveted national crown.   After battling to come-from-behind victories in their first two matches, Kahler and Wagner upended Cal Lutheran’s Nick Balloi and Raymond Worley, 7-5, 7-5, in the semis before claiming a 7-6, 6-1, decision over Robert Kjellberg and Artsiom Prostak of NC Wesleyan.  Kahler and Wagner concluded the year with an overall doubles slate of 24-7 including a 16-6 dual effort at the No. 1 spot.

In addition to Kahler and Wagner, three other Emory players brought home All-America distinction, starting in the fall when juniors Jackson Isaacs and Nick Szczurek captured the doubles competition at the ITA Regional Championships which was hosted by Emory.  Jackson and Szczurek recorded a 5-0 record at the Regionals including a semifinal-round win over Kjellberg/Prostak of NC Wesleyan and a dramatic 9-7 verdict over teammates Kahler and Wagner in the finals.  Sophomore Eric Halpern also was an All-America honoree in singles after finishing ranked among the top 15 nationally. 

Honors and Awards