Flagler College’s men’s tennis team delivered a defining moment for St. Augustine last weekend when the Saints captured the NCAA Division II National Championship in Surprise, Arizona. The program defeated No. 1 seed Barry University 4-3 in a dramatic title match and secured the first NCAA Division II men’s tennis championship in school history.
For years, Flagler established itself as one of Division II tennis’ premier programs, but the Saints repeatedly fell just short of the ultimate prize. The team lost national championship matches in both 2022 and 2024, including a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat against Valdosta State two years ago. Instead of allowing those losses to define the program, head coach Jonas Piibor used them to strengthen the team’s culture.
This season, the Saints finally broke through.
Flagler entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 6 seed and were immediately faced with one of the toughest paths in the country. The Saints opened tournament play with a dominant 4-0 victory over Queens University before upsetting No. 3 seed Lubbock Christian in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Flagler defeated No. 2 seed West Florida 4-2 and advanced to the championship against undefeated Barry University.
Piibor understood exactly how difficult that postseason stretch truly was. “To beat the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st ranked teams back to back- it’s an unbelievable feeling,” Piibor said. Barry University entered the championship match with a perfect 25-0 record and a history of dominance in Division II tennis. The Buccaneers had defeated Flagler 23 consecutive times dating back to 1994. Despite that history, the Saints composed themselves and approached the match with confidence.
The national championship ultimately came down to a decisive singles contest between Flagler junior Aly El Rafie and Barry’s Gonzalo Gallego. El Rafie won the first set decisively, but Gallego responded in the second. The final set turned into a tense back-and-forth battle that captured the attention of everyone watching in Arizona and back home in St. Augustine. El Rafie eventually won the deciding tiebreaker 7-3 and clinched the national championship with a 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 victory. Moments later, celebration erupted as Flagler players stormed the court. The moment carried special meaning for El Rafie, who lost the deciding match in Flagler’s 2024 national championship defeat. This time, he delivered the winning point, redeeming himself in a story that symbolized the resilience of the entire program.
Piibor praised the collective effort that fueled Flagler’s championship run. “Winning this national championship was entirely a team effort,” Piibor said. “Everybody had to step up and play their best tennis.” He also reflected on the emotional significance of finally reaching the pinnacle of Division II tennis. “Winning a national championship is the purest joy you can experience as a college athlete,” Piibor said.
Flagler Athletics Director Jud Damon emphasized the magnitude of the accomplishment after the victory. “Winning an NCAA National Championship is incredibly difficult,” Damon said. “This is truly an amazing accomplishment by a special group of talented student-athletes led by an exceptional coach.”
That exceptional coach helped build the foundation for this championship over more than two decades in collegiate tennis. Piibor has coached tennis for 23 years and brought extensive playing experience into his leadership role at Flagler. Before entering coaching, he played collegiate tennis at both the University of Oregon and Indiana State University. Over time, he transformed Flagler into a national contender by emphasizing consistency rather than simply chasing results. “I don’t coach results,” Piibor said. “I coach performance, discipline, and good behavior.”
That philosophy became the identity of the program and helped shape a roster capable of handling the pressure of the NCAA Tournament. The Saints finished the season with a 24-4 record and responded to adversity throughout the year, including a setback in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament shortly before the NCAA postseason began.
In a city deeply connected to Flagler College, the victory represented far more than a tennis championship. Flagler occupies a central role in St. Augustine’s identity. Students volunteer throughout the city, local businesses support Saints athletics, and many St. Johns County residents regularly attend home games. This championship means as much to the city as it does to the team. While larger universities often dominate statewide attention, Flagler demonstrated that elite college athletics can thrive in St. Augustine. The championship brings national exposure to both the college and the city, further strengthening St. Augustine’s reputation as more than just a historic tourist destination. Throughout the season, St. Augustine residents supported the Saints during home matches and followed the team’s postseason journey closely. Fans embraced the players not only because of their success, but also because of the discipline and humility they displayed throughout the year.
Flagler previously won NAIA national championships in 1977 and 1986, but this NCAA Division II title established a new milestone for the modern era of Saints athletics. The championship validated years of investment in the tennis program and confirmed Flagler’s place among the nation’s elite Division II schools. The accomplishment could also reshape the future of the program. National championships often attract stronger recruiting classes, greater alumni support, and increased national visibility. With Piibor returning to lead the program and much of the roster expected to return next season, Flagler now enters a new era with the credibility that comes from winning a national title.
The timing of the championship also carries additional significance because Flagler plans to leave the Peach Belt Conference and join the Sunshine State Conference in the fall of 2027. The Sunshine State Conference consistently ranks among the strongest Division II athletic conferences in the country and includes top tennis powers such as Barry, Nova Southeastern, and Rollins. The move will increase competition for the Saints throughout the regular season, but it could also elevate the program even further. Competing against nationally ranked opponents on a weekly basis may strengthen recruiting opportunities and prepare Flagler for more NCAA Tournament runs in the future. Instead of viewing the conference transition as a challenge, many within the program now see it as the next step in Flagler’s evolution into a national powerhouse.
Most importantly, however, this championship gave St. Augustine a moment the community could celebrate together.
For one unforgettable weekend, a small coastal city in Northeast Florida stood at the center of college tennis, and the Saints delivered a victory that residents will remember for generations.
