Four student-athletes make up the Villanova Men’s Tennis Class of 2020: Tyler Roth, Tommy Mulflur, Stefan Suarez and Dylan Flanagan.

One is from the other side of the world, one is from the other side of the country and two are from New Jersey.

Despite their different backgrounds and proximity to their hometowns, for the last four years they came together to represent Villanova on the court and in the classroom and, in the process, made life-long friends.

Although their tennis careers came to an unexpected and abrupt end due to COVID-19, the four will be missed by their coaches and teammates and have each made a lasting-impact on the program.

“I have never seen a group of players develop such a strong bond and come together as a team of true leaders like these four. They were a cohesive unit and amongst the highest quality student-athletes I have ever coached. Their commitment to academics and performance on the court was unmatched,” head coach Brad Adams said.

“They pushed each other to do better every practice, every match, and in the classroom. These seniors each demonstrated what it meant to represent the best of Villanova as a student-athlete. They started their careers at Villanova driven to grow academically and athletically and did so, not only excelling in the classroom but raising the tennis program to the next level as well. They will have very successful careers after graduation and will have an ever-lasting impact on the program. Both the current players and I will miss them very much when the next season picks up. Congratulations to each of them for all of their accomplishments.”

• • •

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Tyler Roth

Tyler Roth grew up in Westfield, New Jersey, with his two older sisters Jenna and Megan and his parents Gary and Cynthia.

He was a standout on the court at Westfield High School, with accomplishments that included being a four-year varsity letter winner, a senior team captain and leading his team to a Group 4 Championship and a final ranking of No. 3 in New Jersey.

When asked about his former player, Westfield High School tennis head coach George Kapner raved about Roth and what he did for his program.

"To give my comments some perspective, it is important to know that I have coached more than 70 high school varsity teams at Westfield High School in five different sports beginning in 1979. Were I to sit down and begin making a list that ranks the best athletes that I have ever coached, the best leaders that I have ever coached, the best people that I have have ever coached, Tyler Roth would be one, if not the first, individuals on each and every one of those lists," Kapner said.

"Supremely confident, yet appropriately humble. Tyler Roth is one of the finest athletes, competitors, and most importantly, human beings that I have encountered in my 45 year career as a high school educator."

Roth was also a Union County first singles champion his sophomore and senior years, coming back from a fractured vertebrae injury that sidelined him during his junior season.

Both his tennis achievements and the intangible leadership qualities that he possessed made him a highly sought after four-star recruit, before he committed and signed with Villanova.

For many student-athletes, the transition from high school academics and athletics can be difficult when they get to college. 

Roth, however, made an impact from his first match as a Wildcat.

During his freshman year, Roth played mostly on courts No. 2 and No. 3 in singles, compiling an overall record of 14-5. 

With his partner Thomas Dodson, Roth also went 12-4 on court No. 2 in doubles.

That season, he was recognized by the BIG EAST for his Notable Performances twice and was also once named the BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week.

He capped off his rookie season by clinching the team’s win over BIG EAST rival Georgetown for the first time since the 1999 season, ending a 17-year drought for the Wildcats.

During the next three seasons, Roth played primarily between the top spot in the lineup on court No. 1 and on court No. 2 in both singles and doubles.

After a junior season where he went 12-10 in singles and 14-5 in doubles, he was named to the Second Team All-BIG EAST.

This season, he served as the team captain. He went 6-2 on court No. 2 singles and clinched Villanova's 4-3 win over Lehigh on Feb. 15. In doubles, paired with junior Danny Martinez, the two went 4-4 on court No. 2.

Roth also achieved another career milestone in his senior season; he went 4-0 in his singles career against Navy. 

For reference, the Midshipmen were the Patriot League Champions in 2018 and 2019 and also made the NCAA Tournament those two seasons, so the caliber of talent he went against was high.

“Playing for Nova meant everything to me. In four years that went by too quickly, I made friends that are for life and memories that I will cherish forever. I loved stepping on the court with my teammates, Brad and Arsenio because we all sacrificed for each other and always put the team first,” Roth said. 

Roth’s legacy won’t just be measured by the success he had on the court, however, it will have a lot to do with how he led and treated his teammates.

“Tyler is, and always will be, one of the toughest competitors I have ever coached. In his last match (due to present circumstances) he had a gruesome ankle injury. Instead of giving in to the pain, he chose to finish the match. This is just one example of many where he demonstrated unwavering commitment, leadership, and fortitude in a difficult moment. His leadership brought this team together in a multitude of ways, ensuring the team was able to come together representing the best of Villanova Tennis. As our team Captain, Tyler has truly set an example for the team for years to come,”  head coach Brad Adams said.

“Tyler Roth was a dream recruit and four-year starter for many reasons. He showed genuine commitment to the team and was a great team player. He would contribute all he had in his strive for excellence. The captain and leader of his team. He was always ready and willing to compete no matter when or where,” assistant coach Aresino Jay Culver said.

Roth was also a star in the classroom and was a member of the BIG EAST All-Academic Team his whole college career.

Roth will be graduating from Villanova with a degree in finance. And despite his career not ending the way he had hoped, he has always loved being a Wildcat.

“I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to come in with Tommy, Dylan and Stefan and give our all to the program. I cannot wait to see the team play next year,” Roth said.

• • •

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Tommy Mulflur

Tommy Mulflur grew up across the country from Villanova in Portland, Oregon, with his parents Tom and Cindy and older brother Nic.

According to Cythnia, he initially started playing tennis when Nic started winning USTA Tournaments and Tommy wanted to get in on the competition.

“I think he was playing USTA 10’s when he was 7 or 8.  He played on a few of the Pacific Northwest Zonals teams, which takes the best players from USTA regions and they compete against each other,” she said.

During his career at Jesuit High School, Mulflur and and his team won the Class 6A Boys state title three of his four years. He also won the doubles state title twice and was on the First Team All-State his freshman, junior and senior seasons.

"In my 25 years as the head men’s tennis coach of Jesuit High School, I have had many great athletes come through the program. Tommy Mulflur stands out as one of the best! What makes Tommy so special is not just his tennis skill, he has one of the most accomplished tennis careers in Oregon prep history, but it is Tommy’s leadership and commitment to the team that really stands out. I am lucky as a coach to have had Tommy play for Jesuit. Every day I remind myself that Tommy made his teammates better. Not just as players but as people. I know this because he has done the same for me," Jesuit High school head coach Jeff Wood said. 

“He loved the sport and took one semester to attend Advantage Tennis Academy in Irvine, California,” Cynthia said. “He was thrilled to play Division 1 Tennis for Villanova, and has loved being a Wildcat both athletically and academically. He loves Coach Brad Adams and that will be a life-long friendship.”

His freshman year at Villanova, Mulflur compiled a 5-4 record on court No. 5 in singles play. He also partnered with teammate Thomas Dodson and played at court No. 3 in doubles that season.

“Coming to Villanova you hear a lot about the values and attitude around the campus. From day one I felt that and I think the four guys in our class really bought in,” Mulflur said.

Since then, he has grown as a player and emerged as one of the team’s leaders.

In his junior season, Mulflur went 9-9 in singles play and in doubles, partnered with classmate Stefan Suarez, the two had a record of 7-7 on court No. 2.

This past spring, Mulflur appeared in all 10 matches of his senior season. He went 7-3 in singles play on court No. 4 and clinched the match against Coppin State.

In doubles, paired with senior Dylan Flanagan, Mulflur went 7-2 on court No. 3 spot.

“We had great upperclassmen our first couple years that showed us how things should be done and we just kept building on that. Coach Adams really cares about Villanova and all his players which trickles through the whole team. It's a special group of guys who are brothers for life,” Mulflur said. 

If you speak to his coaches and teammates, they always speak about the energy Muflur brought on the court and his sense of humor.

“Tommy is an extremely devoted and hard-working individual, on and off the court. He regularly sought advice to improve his game, implementing it during practice and matches practice and remained open to a variety of tactical strategies. Tommy had a great work ethic and it showed as he developed himself from a part-time starter during his first year to a full time contributor for the final years of his career. Tommy will be missed not only for his talent, but he also had a great sense of humor and could raise team spirits in tough times,” head coach Brad Adams said.

“Tommy Mulflur was the team glue and energy. What every team in sports has and needs is a player that has pride, energy and an attitude to fight. He showed up every match and gave everything he had,” assistant coach Aresino Jay Culver said.

In addition to his accomplishments on the court, he was also a member of the BIG EAST All-Academic Team his entire career.

Mulflur will be graduating from Villanova with a degree in accounting and analytics. 

• • •

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Dylan Flanagan

Dylan Flanagan grew up about an hour and a half away from Villanova in Montclair, New Jersey, with his parents Vincent and Linda and younger brother Drew.

He played his high school tennis career at Newark Academy, where he was a four-year member of the varsity team. 

In his first three years of high school competition he lost a total of four matches. 

If that wasn’t impressive enough, as a senior captain he led his team, which had a 32-0 record, to the New Jersey Tournament of Champions. 

"It was an honor having Dylan play tennis for Newark Academy. On the court, Dylan was a ferocious competitor -- driven to improve day after day and very coachable.  Off the court, Dylan was a fantastic teammate and a natural leader; Dylan's teammates gravitated toward him even as an underclassman," Lou Scerra, former assistant and now head coach of Newark Academy, said. 

"Dylan embodies our program's philosophy that 'tennis is a team sport.'  We're lucky that our school has a rich tennis tradition, but Dylan's leadership on and off the court helped make 2016 a very special year.  Our team went 32-0 and captured the Tournament of Champions title as the best team in New Jersey.  It's a memory that will be with us for years to come."

After looking at college mostly in the Northeast, Flanagan, a sought after four-star recruit, committed to the Wildcats.

“When I got to high school and decided I wanted to make the push to play college tennis, playing for Villanova was always the dream. With my mom and aunt having gone to Nova, I grew up around the school,” Flanagan said.

His freshman year, Flanagan competed in courts No. 2 through No. 5 in singles and finished with a 13-5 record. That season,he was recognized by the BIG EAST for his Notable Performances once and was Named the BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week on April 19, 2017.

During his career as a Wildcat, he has been a staple of every lineup for Villanova in both singles and doubles.

His junior year, he shined in singles play, going 15-6 while playing the majority of the time on court No. 4.

“Dylan Flanagan was accountable, reliable, and self-motivated. I’d choose him in a deciding match every time because he possessed toughness and fight,” assistant coach Aresino Jay Culver said.

In what would be his final collegiate season this past spring, he went 5-5 in singles play on court No. 3. 

In doubles, paired with fellow senior Tommy Mulflur, the two went 7-2.

His finished with a combined 50 singles wins over the last four years.

“Dylan is one of the most intelligent players I have ever coached. He is a true student of the game, always aware of the top 50 ATP rankings no matter what year. He could always find his opponents weakness, exploit it and secure a victory. Within my tenure at Villanova, Dylan posted the most individual victories of any player. He added such significant value to the team and we are all proud of the contributions he brought to our program,” head coach Brad Adams said.

In addition to his victories on the court, he was also named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team the last two years.

He will be graduating from Villanova with a degree in finance.

His teammates will miss his positive attitude and skills on the court, but Flanagan is confident they will all stay close.

“To represent the university and give it my all every time I stepped on the court was an honor. I was also so lucky to have Tyler, Tommy and Stefan in my class. They are truly some of my best friends and will all always be a big part of my life,” Flanagan said.

• • •

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Stefan Suarez

It’s hard to imagine Stefan Suarez going to a college any farther away from home than he did.

The senior left his home in Makati City, Philippines, where his parents Raymundo and Kimberly and younger brother Justin lived, for Villanova University in 2016, a journey that takes more than a full day of travel, to play tennis for the Wildcats.

In high school at the International School Manila, Suarez played for the varsity team all four years.

"Stefan was a silent leader, letting his tennis and personality do all the talking. He was an ever-present on the team, never losing a match in our international conference, helping the team collect three gold and a silver medal. He captained the team and had a quiet but effective style. He was always smiling and ready to help his teammates out with tennis or any other school issue. (He is) a school legend and mentor," International School Manil head coach David Allen said.

At age 16, Suarez traveled around Asia to compete in International Tennis Federation (ITF) 18 and under events, to achieve his dream of playing college tennis in the United States.

Suarez first met head coach Brad Adams at a college showcase competition the summer of his sophomore year and kept in touch with him until he ultimately committed. 

During his first season at Villanova, he compiled a 11-10 record on court No. 2 in singles and went 3-1 in No. 3 singles.

In doubles, Suarez was paired with three different teammates, including Tyler Roth, and went a combined 15-7 on courts No. 2 and No. 3. 

He was recognized by the BIG EAST for his Notable Performances twice and named the BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week once in his rookie season.

Over the last three years of his collegiate career, he has primarily played in the top two spots of the lineup, on court No. 1 and No. 2, in both singles and doubles play.

“Stefan is an extremely talented player and has always had the drive to play at his highest level, never backing down from a challenge or an opportunity to improve. He played number one singles for the team over the last three years,” head coach Brad Adams said. 

“Stefan always had a positive attitude and devoted himself to becoming a leader on the court and in the classroom. He played the most difficult position that a coach can ask from a player. Not only did he embrace it, but through his leadership and athletic skills, helped the team to a great four-year run.”

He has also been named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team every year.

This past season,  Suarez went 2-6 on court No. 1 and clinched the Villanova's 6-1 victory over UConn on Feb. 1.

In doubles, paired with his younger brother Justin, the two went 6-4, clinching the doubles point against UConn, Drexel and Lehigh.

“Stefan Suarez was the prototype No. 1 singles player for Villanova and Division 1 tennis. The character, effort and commitment he showed throughout his career was first class,” assistant coach Aresino Jay Culver said.

Stefan will be graduating with a degree in business and finance analytics.

“What I will miss most about playing for Villanova is the camaraderie I shared with my teammates. You create a special bond with the people you work, train, and compete with every day. Each person on the team is pushing another to be better and I am definitely going to miss that. These guys were my brothers on and off the court; it’s amazing as I have developed friendships for life,” he said.