Kansas City, MO – The UC men's tennis team continues to make history, earning its highest preseason ranking in program history at No. 8 in the 2026 NAIA Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Patriots collected 217 points, as announced by the national office Wednesday. This marks the sixth consecutive year UC has been ranked in the Top 25. 

Cumberlands capped off its 2025 season with a historic run, finishing 20-9 overall and advancing to the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals for the first time since 2003. As the No. 13 seed, UC swept past Indiana Wesleyan in the Opening Round before falling 4-1 to fifth-seeded Southeastern (Fla.) in the Quarterfinals. Pierluigi Cruypennick provided the lone point for the Pats, cruising to a straight-set win at No. 5 singles. 

In Mid-South Conference play, the Patriots went 5-1 during the regular season and entered the MSC Tournament as the No. 2 seed. UC battled to the semifinals but was edged 4-2 by Cumberland University in a tightly contested matchup. Wins by Luis Marcos and Gabriele Solda kept the match close before the Phoenix clinched it in the lower singles positions. 

The momentum carried into the fall, where the Patriots impressed at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships. The top-seeded doubles duo of Solda and Darius Kuster claimed the regional title, while Jacopo Cianfarini reached the singles final as a No. 7 seed. Maxence Petit, the region's top singles seed, also made a deep run to the semifinals and teamed with Cianfarini for a doubles quarterfinal finish. 

With a lineup that boasts depth, experience, and several nationally competitive returners, Cumberlands is poised to contend for another MSC crown and build on last year's postseason success. 

Defending national champion Georgia Gwinnett leads the preseason poll, followed by a competitive field that includes several MSC opponents such as Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) at No. 5 and Cumberland (Tenn.) at No. 19.  

The Patriots open their 2026 spring season on February 6 at the LMU Indoor Invite in Harrogate, TN, where they are scheduled to face Tusculum University at 10:00 a.m. 

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