When Alex Seretis began classes at Christopher Newport University in August of 2022, his plan was in place. He would major in finance, play on the Captains' tennis team, graduate in four years and go into the business world.

Well, he did major in finance, he has played four seasons on the tennis team, and he's set to graduate next month. The only hiccup came on his path to a business career, which will have to wait at least four years -- for an admirable reason.

The summer prior to his junior year, Seretis enlisted in the Navy through its Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program. He met the requirements, which included being a full-time student with at least 60 completed semester hours at a four-year accredited college or university. And he met the Navy's physical requirements.

The application process, Seretis said, took about a year. But he was accepted and sworn in the summer before his junior year at CNU began.

"I didn't really know what I was going to do after college even though I was majoring in finance," Seretis said. "I was kind of nervous about that. I had family in the Navy and my mom found this program and I was like, you know, why not?

"Technically, I'm enlisted as an E-5 (a non-commissioned officer). Once I graduate, I'll go to Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I. That'll start July 12 and be done October 12. Then my (commissioned) rank will be an ensign."

In his 13 seasons as the Captains' men's tennis coach, Eric Christiansen hadn't had a player who chose this route.

"No, he's the first," Christiansen said. "I was pretty impressed with him and his family for digging in and finding the program and going through the process. The initiative behind that, I was really impressed with him.

"He's in a great situation with a finance degree, which he can do a ton with. And he's going to get a taste of life in the Navy and have some great options from there, whatever he chooses. He's definitely set himself up for a lot of options after college."

After graduating Maury High in Norfolk, Seretis' goal was to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. That's how everything worked out, but after a brief switch to biology as his major.

It didn't take Seretis long to realize he had made a huge mistake. And back he went to finance.

Seretis grew up in Norfolk and spent much of his time at the family business -- Orapax, a Mediterranean and Greek restaurant on Redgate Ave. Young Alex spent plenty of his time hitting a tennis ball against a restaurant wall.

"It was that instead of day care or summer camp," he said.

At Maury High, he was a two-time regional champion in doubles and had one regional title in singles. When it came time to choose a college, Seretis thought back a few years to an older player he looked at as a mentor.

"Robbie Wagner played at the same country club I did," Seretis said. "He played tennis at CNU ('13) and knew Eric. He kind of influenced me to go to CNU.

"I checked it out and I really liked Eric -- he's a great coach. I visited a few other schools, but I kind of fell in love with the campus and it was close to home."

In four years with the Captains, Seretis is 26-14 singles, 38-32 in doubles. But Christiansen said his contributions go beyond that.

"He's been a phenomenal leader for us for the last two years," Christensen said. "That's been a huge piece in building up what's been a phenomenal culture. We've had great leadership for the last six years.

"He learned from those guys and then took the reins for the last couple of years. We've had a great, gritty culture ... he's been a huge part of that. I know he'll do well."

After graduation next month, Seretis will have almost two months to rest, have fun and prepare for Officer Candidate School. After completion in mid-October, he'll find out what comes next and where he'll be.

His four-year commitment to the Navy is just getting started. As for how long it will go on after that, there's no definitive answer at the moment.

"As of now, I'm not planning on doing a career in the Navy," Seretis said. "I want to do some advising or get into defense contracting. Or go back to school. But obviously, I can change."

Always good to have options.