With seven returning players, the men’s tennis program at University of the Pacific is primed to build on last season’s success.

Head Coach Clifton Awuy, in his first year leading the team after spending two years as assistant coach, helped Pacific retain the majority of the team, which won 15 matches last season and finished tied for second in the 2025 West Coast Conference standings. They also ranked in the top 60 nationally in each of the last two seasons.

Awuy said the offseason felt more like a continuation rather than a reset.

“Being able to retain nearly the entire group has been a huge advantage,” Awuy said. “There’s already a proven culture in place—one that emphasizes accountability, competitiveness and daily professionalism—and the players genuinely believe in it.”

That allows the team to spend less time introducing “who we want to be” and more time building on what already works, he said.

“Because I was part of that environment last year, the transition has felt very natural.,” he added. “The trust is there, the standards are understood and now our focus is on refining habits and pushing the group to an even higher level.”

Four players have consistently played crucial roles in Pacific’s matches, including rising junior and marketing major Christof Schaertlin Coffey ’27, who is coming off an 11-3 singles season and an 8-5 doubles record court one.

He has taken on more of a leadership role now that former Tigers Justas Trainauskas ’25 and Ran Amar ’25 have graduated.

“I learned quite a bit from Ran and Justas,” Schaertlin Coffey said. “The most important thing I learned was holding everyone accountable and making sure everyone is onboard. I saw what it means to lead by example every single day—their professionalism, how they prepare and how consistent we need to be no matter the situation. I also learned how important it is to communicate between the team and the coaches and to make sure everyone is on board.”

Awuy said having a full offseason for the team to work on strength, conditioning and tennis development programs has made a noticeable difference.

“They’re stronger, more confident and more comfortable competing at the college level, and that should translate into more maturity and impact in matches,” he said.

Rising sophomore Vraj Patel ’28, a biology major, will attempt to build off a standout 11-0 doubles record. During the offseason Patel has not only seen his game mature on the court but also has taken strides to stay mentally strong off the court.

“Prior to Pacific, my power was one of my main weapons, but I learned quickly in college that everyone can hit big. So instead of trying to finish points early, I focused on staying physical, extending rallies and building points the right way. That adjustment has helped my game take a big step forward,” he said.

“Off the court, I improved the most in managing my time and balancing my schedule. During my freshman year, I was still figuring everything out, but now I’ve created a routine that helps me stay ahead in class while still committing fully to tennis. My grades have gone up, and I feel more organized and confident overall.”

The men’s tennis team posted the highest GPA in athletics for the fall 2025 semester with a 3.71. They hold a cumulative team GPA of 3.60, the highest in the department.

See the full men's tennis schedule.