Men's Tennis | 9/4/2025 12:08:00 PM
September 4, 2025-The Emporia State men's tennis team will get the fall season started this weekend as they play host to the George Milton Chicken Dinner Classic on Saturday at the Kossover Family Tennis Center.
After a hiatus the George Milton Chicken Dinner Tournament is back in action for a second straight year. This year Emporia State will be joined by Bethel College and Seward County CC for a one day tournament. All matches are scheduled to be streamed on the MIAA Network.
This year the first wave of matches will begin at 9:00 a.m. and play is expected to last until 8:00 p.m. at the Kossover Family Tennis Center.
The Emporia State men have nine returners led by senior
Anton Sarunic, who ended last season ranked #24 in the nation in NCAA Division II singles, and the doubles team of graduate student
Gwendal Mazuay and sophomore
Alexis Mattenberger who ended last season ranked #45 in the nation in D2 doubles play.
This is the only home action for Emporia State Athletics this weekend with the Hornet football, soccer, volleyball and cross country teams all on the road.
The next action for the Hornet men's tennis team is scheduled for September 26-28 at the ITA Fall Regional in Topeka, Kan.The women's tennis team will begin fall action a week earlier on September 19-21 at the ITA Fall Regional in Edmond, Okla.
ABOUT THE GEORGE MILTON CHICKEN DINNER INVITATIONAL
Beginning in the 1970's longtime Emporia State Tennis Coach George Milton began hosting fall intercollegiate tennis tournaments with the bonus of a chicken dinner for all participants, coaches, and support staff. At that time, it was possible to provide chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, and cake for $3 a person.
Originally the dinner was held at Coach Milton's home, with players sitting on the floor, on the porch, just wherever they could grab a seat. Teams were invited the first year and after that the coaches called him to see if they could come. The coaches loved the idea and encouraged socializing and getting to know players other than just across the net.
The tournament was held around 20 times in total. Matches were held at ESU, Emporia High School, the country club, Peter Pan Park, Hammond Park, and two private courts.
Emporia State is proud continue to bring great fall tennis to Emporia and spread Coach Milton's values of great competition, fellowship, friendship, and great chicken amongst college teams.
