2023 Men's Tennis Season Preview

Sunday, January 22

Los Angeles, Calif.

2:00 PM

UC Irvine

#8 USC

Photo by: Robert Huskey

2023 Men's Tennis Season Preview

January 20, 2023 | Men's Tennis

Live Results Match Notes

UC Irvine (0-0) at
No. 9 USC (0-0)
Date: Sunday, Jan. 22
Time: 2 p.m. (PST)
Location: Marks Stadium - Los Angeles, Calif.

IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's tennis team will be looking to defend its Big West title in 2023.

Last year, the Anteaters upset top-seeded and 55th-ranked UC Santa Barbara in the Big West Championship match to claim their fourth tournament title. It was their second consecutive ranked win as they also took down No. 60 Cal Poly in the semifinals. The 'Eaters went on to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, and finished the campaign ranked 67th in the nation with a 17-7 overall record.

UCI is primed to continue its success with six returners from its 2022 squad, while it also brings in a pair of seasoned newcomers.

"This year's team understands all that it takes to win a conference championship and they are motivated every day by the challenge and opportunity to repeat," said eight-year head coach Mike Saunders.

UC Irvine will face a tough test in its 2023 dual-match opener as it travels to Los Angeles for a 2 p.m. showdown at preseason No. 9 USC on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Below are five things to know before the Anteaters kick off the spring season.

BEST IN THE BIG WEST
Head coach Mike Saunders returns for his eighth season at the helm of the UC Irvine men's tennis program. Saunders was named the 2022 Big West Men's Tennis Coach of the Year after leading the Anteaters to their first Big West title in 11 years. His squad also had a fifth consecutive winning campaign (17-7) with four ranked victories.

Noah Zamora was named The Big West co-Freshman of the Year after logging a team-best 17 overall singles wins (13-2 dual match). His 17th victory came in dramatic fashion as he battled back from being down 5-2 in the third set for a 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (4) triumph against UCSB in the Big West championship match. Zamora also earned first-team all-conference honors in doubles and was a second-team selection in singles.

"If the Big West gave out Purple Hearts for competitive bravery, Noah would have received one for his heroic comeback win against the Gauchos in the finals of the tournament," said Saunders. "He's entertaining to watch but I'm most proud of his competitive spirit and integrity. Being on the court with competitors who play their hearts out like Noah is what I enjoy most about coaching."

SENIOR LEADERS
Also back from the 2022 Big West Championship squad are seniors and veteran leaders Matthew Sah and Ali Amiri, who have both been with the program since fall 2019. They have come a long way from seeing their freshman season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic to becoming Big West champions as juniors. During their collegiate career, the 'Eaters are 32-16 in dual matches.

"Matt and Ali will continue to give us depth and the competitive fire we need to win the Big West," said Saunders. "They're why we are a united team that plays for one another, and that was a big reason why we won the conference tournament last season."

RETURNING DEPTH
UC Irvine received significant contributions from a pair of true freshmen in 2022. Lawee Sherif, who joined the team last January, was a staple in the lineup, playing primarily at No. 3 singles. Rithvik Krishna came on strong late, finishing with a 5-1 record in dual matches. He won his last three contests, including a 1-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory in the Big West championship match. Junior Thomas Smart is also ready to get back on the court after suffering a season-ending injury last year.

"Rithvik and Lawee made an immediate impact on this program and played a big role in our success last season," said Saunders. "As freshmen they proved they can win at this level and in our conference. Their hunger to get better is insatiable and they play this game because they love to battle and compete.

"Tom really feeds off the team aspect of college tennis," added Saunders. "He is chomping at the bit for the dual matches to start so he can contribute on the court and prove what he is capable of as a tennis player and competitor."

SEASONED NEWCOMERS
UC Irvine added two newcomers ahead of the 2022-23 season. Enrique Luque Rico (Cordoba, Spain) is a graduate transfer who spent the last four years at Pepperdine where he was a two-time All-West Coast Conference selection in singles. He finished the 2021-22 campaign with a 20-5 overall record. Brandon Park is also a junior transfer out of Pacific (2020-22). The Bakersfield, California, native was a four-star recruit at Stockdale High School.

"Enrique brings high-level experience and talent," said Saunders. "He has been successful at the collegiate level with wins over some of the best players in the nation, including our No. 1 player last season, Emmanuel Coste. He has also proven himself in the pro ranks having earned an ATP World ranking of 1339.

"Brandon is also a talented and seasoned college tennis player whose best tennis is ahead of him," added Saunders. "This fall he gave us a glimpse of his upside with some impressive wins over a few pedigreed Pac-12 players. Brandon is an infectious and authentic leader who inspires and unites his teammates."

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
After kicking off the 2023 season at ninth-ranked USC, the Anteaters will return to Irvine for their home opener against Loyola Marymount on Feb. 4. UC Irvine is then back on the road for its next three, traveling to UCLA, and to Stockton where it will face host Pacific (Feb. 18), along with Nevada (Feb. 19) in a neutral-site match. The 'Eaters continue to take on the West Coast Conference, hosting Saint Mary's (Feb. 24) and Gonzaga (Feb. 25), before making a quick trip to Pepperdine. UCI then has a five-match homestand, starting with Boise State on March 3. That stretch will take the team into their Big West opener at UC Riverside on March 25. The conference tournament is set to return to the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, April 28-30.