Valparaiso University men’s tennis players Jeffrey Schorsch (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) and Charlie Emhardt (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) added a new feat to their long list of accomplishments on Tuesday.

The seniors have qualified for the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships as a result of being awarded an ITA Wild Card Selection. They are the first players in program history to qualify for the event.

The prestigious event, which will take place from Nov. 3-6 in Flushing, N.Y., will feature the top 20 doubles teams in the nation. After three years of knocking on the door for a qualifying spot, Schorsch and Emhardt reached the goal with Tuesday’s news.

As sophomores, Schorsch and Emhardt were semifinalists in the ITA Midwest Regional. As juniors, they went a step further by reaching the final match. They repeated as ITA Midwest Regional runners-up this season, dropping a thrilling three-set championship match to Michigan’s Jathan Malik and Kevin Wong on Monday in Columbus, Ohio.

“It means a lot to those two,” Valpo head coach Jim Daugherty said. “They were devastated after the loss, but they played very well and did everything they needed to do. It was one of the ultimate goals to reach the indoor national. They’re elated. They’re pumped, and so am I. I cherish this moment to be able to go with them and share this experience.”

Schorsch and Emhardt continue to set the school record for career doubles wins each time they notch a victory. The rest of the defending Horizon League champion Crusaders will close out their fall season this weekend at the Illinois State Invitational, which begins on Friday in Normal, Ill.