For four years, Joey Nicol battled the top players from opposing teams.

Those matches sharpened his skills and led to the the highest possible recognition in Mississippi Valley Conference boys tennis.

Nicol, a senior, was voted by the coaches as a first-team selection to the MVC all-conference squad.

“It’s a really nice way for way for Joey to end his career,” said Tomah coach Brent Nicol, Joey Nicol’s father.

The top two singles finishers at the MVC tournament, along with the doubles champions, win automatic spots on the first team. Six other places are filled by a vote of the coaches.

Nicol finished fourth at the MVC meet and advanced past the subsectional into the sectional during the WIAA tournament series. He is a four-year letterwinner and has played at number-one singles since his freshman season.

No other Tomah players were selected first team, second team or honorable mention.

The rest of the first team: Victor Mirasola, junior, number-one singles, La Crosse Central; Christian Handahl, junior, number-two singles, Onalaska; Alec Bronston, senior, number-one doubles, Onalaska; Ben McClellan, senior, number-one doubles, Onalaska; Chris Aberger, senior, coaches vote, Central; John O’Brien, senior, coaches vote, Central; Brett Polito, junior, coaches vote, Onalaska; Bobby Steingraeber, junior, coaches vote, La Crosse Aquinas; Tyler Beeler, junior, coaches vote, La Crosse Logan.

The second team: Luke Thornton, junior, number-two, doubles, Onalaska, Ben Harring, junior, number-two doubles, Onalaska; Jacob Inda, senior, number-three singles; Aquinas; Matt Jameson, junior, coaches vote, Holmen; Joe Kotnour, senior, coaches vote, Aquinas; Michael Wallerich, senior, coaches vote, Aquinas; Evan Nelson, junior, coaches vote, Logan; Andy Bonifas, freshman, coaches vote, Logan; Na Xiong, junior, coaches vote, Holmen; Nick Stelloh, freshman, coaches vote, Onalaska.

The honorable mention picks: Michael Hagan, freshman, number-four singles, Aquinas; Alex Aschenbrenner, senior, number-three doubles, Onalaska; Nick Klos, freshman, number-three doubles, Onalaska; Ryan Mathews, senior, coaches vote, Sparta; Brendon Boisvert, senior, coaches vote, Aquinas; Gabe Wateski, senior, coaches vote, Aquinas; Josh Goodman, senior, coaches vote, Central; Patrick Isaacs, senior, coaches vote, Central; Tyler Kerska, senior, coaches vote, Holmen; Cole Wittwer, junior, coaches vote, Holmen.

Mirasola was the player of the year, and Kurt Gutknecht of Onalaska was the coach of the year.