DELAND, Fla. – Stetson University Men's Tennis, coming off a strong season as runner-ups in the ASUN Conference, is thrilled to announce the addition of two transfer students, Xavier Sarda Marti and Christian Kuehne, to the team for the upcoming season. Both athletes bring a wealth of experience and talent, further strengthening the Hatters' roster.

Xavier Sarda Marti
Transferring from Jacksonville State University, Xavier Sarda Marti joins the Hatters after two years of collegiate tennis. Originally from Barcelona, Spain, Marti has demonstrated his versatility and skill, competing in positions #1, #2, #3, and #4 singles. This past season, he held a record of 12-4 in singles, at the #3 and #4 spots, and 10-4 in doubles.

Marti's accolades extend beyond his collegiate career. He was the Catalonian Tournament singles runner-up in 2019 and the doubles champion in 2016 and 2019. Additionally, he has been part of multiple Catalonian Tournament team championships and was a key player in the Spanish Tournament by teams, winning championships in 2018 and 2019 and finishing as runner-up in 2015 and 2021. Marti's academic excellence is also notable, earning him recognition as a 2022-2023 ITA Scholar-Athlete.

During his tenure at Jacksonville State, Marti played in 21 games, earning a team-best six wins in the top singles flight and contributing significantly in doubles with six victories. He was instrumental in securing crucial wins, including a decisive victory in the ASUN Quarterfinals against Eastern Kentucky.

Regarding his decision to join Stetson, Marti highlighted the university's strong academic and athletic programs, favorable location, and the excellent relationship between the coach and the team as key factors.

Head Coach Christophe Noblet praised Marti's addition, saying, "Xavi brings a lot of college tennis experience, having played pretty much every match at Jacksonville State for the past two years. He is a great young man, that will fit easily within our team culture, and will make us better next season."

Christian Kuehne
Joining from the University of San Diego, a top #15 program, Christian Kuehne, hailing from Lugano, Switzerland, also adds potential to the already formidable Hatters' lineup. 

In his freshman year at USD, Kuehne posted a 5-4 singles record and competed in three doubles matches. His pre-collegiate achievements include a Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) of 12.16, winning six of the last eight regional tournaments in his age group, and being ranked No. 45 in Switzerland, No. 5 in his region, and No. 7 in his age group. He also played Club Matches in Switzerland, competing in National B with Lugano1903 and National C with Giubiasco.

Kuehne chose Stetson for its "great combination of athletics and academics" and the strong team culture, alongside an "amazing connection with the head coach."

"Christian is a talented and brilliant person," said Coach Noblet. "He comes from a top #15 program, having experienced the highest level of college tennis. He is looking to make an impact on our team and will be a great asset next season."
 

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.

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