Men's Tennis Receives ITA Academic Awards
July 13, 2026 | Men's Tennis
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's tennis has been recognized as an ITA All-Academic Team for the 10th-straight year, while six Anteaters were named ITA Scholar-Athletes as announced Monday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
The 'Eaters, who won their second Big West regular season championship in the last four years, were one of 162 men's tennis programs to receive All-Academic Team distinction. To be eligible, all student-athletes must combine for a minimum 3.20 team GPA for the 2025-26 academic year.
Individually, graduate student Hiroki Sakagawa and senior Max Fardanesh earned their third career ITA Scholar-Athlete awards. Sakagawa was also named the 2026 Big West Men's Tennis Player of the Year and earned his second career All-Big West first team distinction in singles. He led UCI with a 14-3 dual match singles record and went a perfect 5-0 in Big West play. Fardanesh also earned All-Big West second team honors in singles after picking up eight victories, including three against Big West opponents.
Graduate students Sohrob Amiryavari and Tal Goodman earned their first ITA Scholar Athlete awards in their Anteater careers. Goodman also received an All-Big West second team selection in singles after picking up eight victories in his first season with UCI.
Sophomores Mason Bui and Ruining Huang garnered their second ITA Scholar Athlete distinction in as many years.
To be eligible for the ITA Scholar-Athlete award, student-athletes must have carried a minimum 3.50 GPA for the 2025-26 academic year.
