MILLIGAN, Tenn. – On Thursday, the Milligan University men's and women's tennis teams revealed the newcomers to their programs for the 2026-27 campaign.
A pair of new women's athletes, as well as six new men's players join the ranks for the season ahead.
"On the women's side our newcomers bring talent, and a much needed spark to fuel the team to be better on and off the court," head coach
Bart Kennedy said. "Both players bring different qualities that will help this team succeed."
"On the men's side we welcome six newcomers to a mostly upperclassmen-filled team," Kennedy continued. "This group brings more intelligence, and work ethic to join an already sound squad. The future just got brighter. Go Buffs!"
The full recruiting class is below:
2026 Recruiting Class
Women
Alba Candela – FR – 5'10 – Alicante, Spain – Newton College
Candela joins the Milligan women's tennis program as a freshman in 2026 from Alicante, Spain. She attended Newton College, a lauded international school in her hometown to prepare her for the jump to the United States. She will study business at Milligan.
Sarah Buckner – SR – 5'2 – Plainfield, Ind. – Plainfield HS
Buckner will become a two-sport athlete for the Buffaloes in 2026, as she joins the women's tennis program alongside her All-AAC women's soccer career. Buckner is entering her final year as a student-athlete at Milligan and will graduate with a degree in biology in the spring of 2027.
Men
Mark Owen Endler – GRAD – 6'0, 187lbs – Tenerife, Spain – Wofford College
Endler joins the fray at Milligan in 2026 as a graduate student in Finance. Endler is the older brother of
Lee Anne Endler, an important current member of the Milligan women's tennis program. He transfers into MU after graduating from Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
Tate Stokes – FR – 6'5, 190lbs – Maryville, Tenn. – Maryville HS
Stokes enters the ranks of the MU men's tennis program as a stellar domestic freshman recruit after an All-District campaign at Maryville HS in Maryville, Tenn. As a member of the Rebels, he was a two-time Region Champion in doubles. Stokes plans to study exercise science during his time at Milligan.
Dawson Randolph – FR – 6'2, 160 – Greenback, Tenn. – Maryville Christian HS
Randolph grew up in Greenback, Tenn., where he attended Maryville Christian School. As an Eagle under head coach Kyle Davidson, he was recognized as the top tennis player in Blount County. In the classroom, he earned best-in-class honors in biology, chemistry, and Bible. He is the son of Gregg and Jessica Randolph.
Filip Brettl – FR – 6'4, 220 – Prague, Czechia – Gymnazium Pripotocni
Brettl joins the Milligan men's tennis program as a freshman from Prague, Czechia, having attended the Gymnazium Pripotocni. The 6'4", 220lb product will be studying Computing and Business Systems Analysis during his time as a Buffalo as he enters his first campaign in East Tennessee.
Blaine Barber – FR – 6'0, 165 – Maryville, Tenn. – William Blount HS
Barber enters his freshman season with the tennis program following a highly decorated career at William Blount High School under head coach Wendy Petty. Competing as a Governor, he captured a region championship and district runner-up honors his sophomore season that was highlighted by an undefeated doubles record, before claiming a district championship and region runner-up finish as a junior. He was also a recipient of the Best of Blount County Award. Academically, he graduated cum laude, earned a 30+ ACT recognition, and received the Best of Blount County Academic Award as a senior. From Maryville, Tennessee, Barber is the son of Ken and Kristi Barber and the brother of Bryce. He comes from an athletic family, as his father played football and baseball at Maryville College and his brother played golf at Cleveland State Community College.
Spencer Christen – FR – 6'3, 175 – Maryville, Tenn. – Maryville HS
Christen comes to Milligan from Maryville, Tenn., where he teamed up to win back-to-back district and region doubles championships at Maryville High School under head coach Christian Burns. He will major in Business at Milligan and is the son of Ashli Christen.
