The UTRGV men's tennis team placed five players on the Southland Conference 2026 Men's Tennis All-Academic Team: Sam Whitehead, Santiago Serrano, Michael Chan, Will Roberts, and Paolo Bonaguro. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or above and participate in at least 50% of matches. Whitehead notably earned First Team All-Conference honors at No. 1 doubles and Second Team All-Conference at No. 1 singles this season, contributing significantly to UTRGV's strong performance. The team's achievements reflect both athletic and academic excellence.

By the Numbers
  • Five UTRGV players named to the All-Academic Team.
  • Sam Whitehead posted a 7-3 record in his final 12 matches.
State of Play
  • UTRGV achieved a second-place regular season finish for two consecutive years.
  • Whitehead led the team in doubles wins, including significant victories against top competitors.
What's Next

Looking forward, UTRGV aims to build on these accomplishments in upcoming seasons, potentially improving their standings in both academic and tennis competitions. Continued development of players may also lead to more recognitions and successful seasons ahead.

Bottom Line

The recognition of UTRGV's athletes on the All-Academic Team underscores the commitment to excellence that the program fosters, balancing sports performance with academic achievement.