JACKSONVILLE – On Tuesday, Jax State men's tennis and head coach Trey Morris announced the signing of Montana State transfer Matej Panik.
 
Panik is originally from Cheb, Czech Republic, where he won the Czech National Individual singles and doubles titles in 2019. He also played for the Czech National Championship team in 2019 and was also national singles runner-up in 2018.
 
Panik was recruited by and played for Morris during Morris's time at Montana State in the 2021-22 season after a stint at Hawaii Pacific where he was a Division II All-American in doubles play.
 
During his time at Montana State, Panik made history by being part of the first doubles team in program history to qualify for the ITA fall national championships with his partner Daan Van Dijk. The duo also reached a national double ranking of #33 in the country.
 
Panik's storied career for the Bobcats also included qualifying for the NCAA tournament in 2022 in doubles where he reached the Sweet 16 with partner Jamieson Nathan. Panik reached the quarterfinals of the ITA regionals in singles, was a key contributor to the 2022 Big Sky Conference champions, and first player in Montana State history to make the finals of the ITA regionals.
 
Panik was also the first player in Bobcats to make the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the first player in program history to finish the year ranked as an individual, and reached a ranking of #23 in the country in doubles. 

"I am extremely excited to announce the additon of a great player in Matej Panik to Gamecock Nation," Morris said. "Matej is one of the hardest working players I have spent time around and have no doubt he will continue to set the bar high as a Gamecock. Although Matej has a lot to be proud of in regard to accomplishments, I believe this is just the start of his journey in this sport."
 
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