Men’s Tennis Opens the 2026 Season at Hawai’i

SEATTLE– The Washington Men’s Tennis crew begins their 2026 marketing campaign this week with a visit to Hawai’i on Saturday, Jan 10, on the UH Tennis Complex in Honolulu, HI, at 4 HT / 6PM PST. 

The Rainbow Warriors of Hawai’i are at present 0-1 on the season after dropping to Fifteenth-ranked California by a rating of 1-6, with one other match scheduled for Jan. ninth towards fellow state of Washington rival, Gonzaga at 6PM PST. The Huskies look to begin the season off sturdy, as their all-time report versus the Rainbow Warriors is 6-2. 

Leading the way in which, Head Coach Rahim Esmail, in his fourth 12 months on the helm of the Washington program, is trying to proceed upon the success of final season, albeit with changing a number of key contributors from final season’s NCAA-qualifying squad. Although the Huskies are changing three established starters, these younger Huskies are poised to interrupt out in 2026 with a robust displaying Saturday towards the ‘Bows.   

With a heavy Senior class final season, the Huskies are primed to reload after dropping three to commencement final season. Newcomers, Daniel Bien of the Czech Republic and Hyeon Seok Seo of South Korea look to assist change key starters Cesar Bouchelaghem, Dzianis Zharyn, and Nedim Suko. Both of whom come to UW extremely ranked of their respective international locations and throughout the ITF Juniors Rankings, with Bien being the Fifth-ranked Czech Republic junior and No. 264 within the ITF, and Seok Seo being the ITF’s No. 96-ranked participant and a prime ranked prospect out of South Korea. 

Returning for the Purple & Gold are senior Brett Pearson, junior Soham Purohit, who has been named to the B1G Players to Watch record, together with sophomores Rohan Belday, Stephane Kamendje, Nikola Plavsic. Each seems to enhance upon their outcomes from final season and from the Fall. Most notably, Stephane Kamendje, who received the Gonzaga Inventational Blue Division this previous November, and Brett Pearson, who, in Doubles, went 18-8 final Spring and is trying to capitalize in his senior season after beginning sturdy within the Fall marketing campaign, going 6-5 alongside fellow upperclassman Soham Purohit. 

The street to success in 2026 is nonetheless, riddled with challenges. As the Dawgs will face 5 pre-season ranked foes within the ever powerful gauntlet that’s the B1G convention. With difficult street matchups towards Sixth-ranked Ohio State in Columbus, OH, and Twentieth-ranked Illinois in Champaign, IL. The Huskies might want to capitalize on a robust house slate again on Montlake, with matchups towards No. 12 UCLA,  No. 19 USC, and No. 20 Michigan State coming in a four-match house stretch. Of these ranked matchups, 4 of the Dawgs final six matches are towards these ranked foes at house. 

Along the way in which, the Purple and Gold will look to qualify as a crew and individually for postseason play. With alternatives to compete early within the season on the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Austin, TX, and on the Arizona State Invitational in Tempe, AZ, the Huskies could have ample alternatives to determine success earlier than a possible B1G event berth come April. 

Losing 4 members of a squad isn’t perfect, however these Huskies consider they are going to be capable to not solely compete however contend within the upcoming marketing campaign. As with returning veterans, new expertise, and a longtime B1G teaching employees, the Huskies are poised for achievement in 2026. 

For extra info on the UW Men’s Team, observe @UW_MTennis on X and Instagram.

For stay scoring updates for the match towards Hawai’i, please go to https://gohski.es/hawaii_live_match_stats.