LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Men's Tennis head coach
Alex Van Cott has finalized his incoming crop of recruits for the upcoming 2025 fall season, welcoming four new student athletes to the Saints' roster.
Among those who will be joining the Green and Gold under second-year coach Van Cott will be junior transfers
Matteo Castellazzi and
Sviatoslav Koliadynskyi as well as freshmen
Mars Argun and
Santiago Trujillo.
Koliadynskyi transfers from Mercyhurst in Erie, PA, where the Kharkiv, Ukraine native went 14-4 primarily from the number four position in singles competition. He finished the season by moving up to the #3 position and topped Duquesne's Keita Duclos 7-5, 6-3 and followed that match up with a 7-5, 6-2 victory against Mathis Tremblay of Saint Francis (PA).
"Sviatoslav is someone who played and won a lot of matches at his previous school, so he has a very good sense of what is needed to compete at this level," said coach Van Cott.
"His attitude and drive really matched up well with us as coaches and we are excited to have him here."
Castellazzi comes to Loudonville after spending two years with Valdosta State in Georgia where the Stezzano, Italy native saw limited action with a 3-1 singles record at the number six position and a 2-3 doubles individual record from the third slot.
"Matteo comes from Valdosta State, who won the D2 national championship last year. It was a good opportunity for us to bring someone in who has been around that level of success. He is hungry and excited to be here."
Trujillo is fresh off graduation at Unitas High School and a native of Queretaro, Mexico. Trujillo played on the ITF Juniors circuit and attained a high ranking of 510, reaching 10 finals appearances in doubles play and one in singles competition. Trujillo reached the singles finals of the Villahermosa Tabasco in May and June of 2024.
"Santiago is an experienced player, who like the other three players, is really motivated and excited to be at Siena. We look forward to seeing him develop over the next four years."
Argun will also be beginning his collegiate career after graduating high school from Istabul Okyanus and is a native of Istanbul, Turkey. Argun achieved a high ITF Juniors ranking of 646 and reached the finals of the Matrix Optimum Istanbul in November of 2024 and the quarterfinals of the Soul Cup in October of 2024.
"Mars is someone who was very interested in Siena from the beginning. He is extremely motivated and we are looking forward to getting started with him."
The Siena Men's Tennis Team will look to rebound after last season's 6-13 finish (5-3 in the MAAC) that included a MAAC semifinals appearance against Rider.
